Escalating Violence in Colombia's Catatumbo Region Displaces Thousands

Clashes between ELN guerrillas and FARC dissidents leave over 80 dead and force 11,000 civilians to flee their homes.

The ELN launched a deadly offensive against FARC dissidents in Colombia's Catatumbo region, a key area for cocaine production, resulting in over 80 deaths and 20 injuries since January 16.
Approximately 11,000 civilians have been displaced by the violence, with many seeking refuge in temporary shelters or fleeing across the border to Venezuela.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the ELN of committing war crimes and suspended peace negotiations with the group, which had been ongoing since late 2022.
The Colombian army has deployed over 5,000 troops to the region to stabilize the area, with reports of civilians being evacuated by helicopter due to the severity of the conflict.
The violence highlights the ongoing struggle for control of drug trafficking routes and territory in Colombia, despite a 2016 peace deal with the FARC that aimed to end decades of armed conflict.