Local drug cartels and other criminal organizations are also involved in Colombia’s complex internal conflict, which competes with the rebels for control of trade routes.
More than 80 people have been killed in northeastern Colombia during four days of violent clashes between rebel groups. The fighting has already displaced around 11,000 people. TASR reports according to the AFP agency.
The far-left National Liberation Army (ELN) last week attacked a rival faction of the now-disarmed Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the Catatumbo region.
According to AFP, the violence affected a large number of civilians who fled their homes. Hundreds of them found refuge in the city of Tibú, where local authorities set up temporary shelters for them. Several crossed the border into neighboring Venezuela. The government in Caracas has already said it is providing aid.
“At least 11,000 displaced persons have been reported in just four days and there may be many more,” said Iris Marin of the Colombian Ombudsman’s office. The agency said it had recorded cases of ELN gunmen going “house to house” killing people suspected of having ties to the FARC.
The Marxist-oriented FARC disarmed under a 2016 peace deal after more than half a century of conflict. Despite the agreement, some of the FARC rebels kept their weapons and continue their insurgent activities.
The ELN rebel group has been conducting armed operations despite current President Gustavo Petro’s efforts to end the conflict and resumed peace talks with the group in 2022. However, he suspended the talks on Saturday due to insurgent attacks and declared that the ELN is not interested in peace.
Local drug cartels and other criminal organizations are also involved in Colombia’s complex internal conflict, which competes with the rebels for control of trade routes.
