In the northern region of Catatumbo, Colombia, a brutal wave of violence has left more than 80 people dead and forced over 18,000 individuals to flee their homes, according to local officials. This terrifying escalation, which has been ongoing for the last four days, is a stark reminder of the enduring conflict in Colombia, despite years of efforts to bring peace. The clashes, fueled by rival armed groups in a region already struggling with violence, have raised alarms about the country’s peace process and its future.
The violence, one of the worst the country has seen in recent years, centers on the northeastern area of Catatumbo, located on the border with Venezuela. This area has long been a hotbed for armed group activity, particularly involving the National Liberation Army (ELN) and splinter factions of former FARC rebels. These groups have fought fiercely for control of territory and resources, particularly the coca fields that fuel the cocaine trade. The conflict has made Catatumbo one of the most dangerous places in Colombia.
The country’s president, Gustavo Petro, who came into power with a promise of “total peace,” has expressed his concern over the worsening situation. Petro, who is midway through his four-year term, visited the region in an attempt to reassure the population, stating on social media that his government “stands with the people of Catatumbo.” In response to the violence, the government has sent military forces and humanitarian aid to the area in hopes of stabilizing the situation and providing relief to the thousands of displaced families.
While many of those fleeing the violence have taken refuge in a stadium in Cúcuta, a border town that has become well-known for hosting Venezuelan migrants in recent years, others have sought safety across the border in Venezuela. In an unusual twist, Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has promised to offer assistance to these refugees, though his country is grappling with its own humanitarian crisis. This influx of displaced Colombians into Venezuela further complicates an already tense situation between the two nations, which have been at odds over issues ranging from migration to border control.
The events unfolding in Catatumbo mark a significant departure from the hopes of peace that swept through Colombia less than a decade ago. In 2016, the country signed a peace deal with its largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), in what was hailed as a historic moment. For a time, there was optimism that Colombia could finally move past its violent history and begin to heal. However, the peace deal did not eliminate violence altogether. While thousands of FARC fighters laid down their arms, other armed groups, including the ELN and smaller factions of former FARC members, continued to fight for control over territories and illegal industries.
The ongoing conflict has taken on a new dimension in recent years, as these armed groups increasingly focus on territorial control and profits rather than ideological warfare. The ELN, which is now the oldest left-wing guerrilla group in Latin America, has become a major player in this new phase of the conflict. Founded in 1964 by radical Catholic priests and Marxist rebels, the ELN once fought for social justice and better conditions for poor farmers. However, President Petro, who once sympathized with the group during his time as a guerrilla fighter, has become increasingly critical of the ELN. He recently accused the group of having abandoned its revolutionary ideals and becoming nothing more than a “mafia” that perpetuates violence for profit.
The current wave of violence in Catatumbo appears to be a direct result of a breakdown in a fragile peace between the ELN and a faction of former FARC rebels known as the 33rd Front. The two groups had coexisted in a tense truce for some time, but the relationship has recently deteriorated into open conflict. General Luis Emilio Cardozo, head of the Colombian army, confirmed that multiple clashes had occurred between the two factions over the past few days, with armed fighters even going door-to-door, hunting down former FARC members who were suspected of being part of the 33rd Front. According to Cardozo, these attacks were part of a “very well-planned criminal operation” in which attackers targeted specific individuals for assassination.
Despite the focus of the fighting being on rival armed groups, the real victims of this conflict are often innocent civilians. Many of the displaced people who have fled the violence are not combatants but ordinary citizens caught in the crossfire. This highlights the tragic and indiscriminate nature of the conflict, which has no regard for the lives of those who are simply trying to live in peace.
The growing violence in Colombia has sparked concerns about the country’s security situation, especially given the increasing territorial reach of the ELN. According to Colombian military officials, the ELN has expanded its presence significantly in recent years, operating in more than 200 municipalities as of 2023. This is up from just 149 municipalities in 2019, reflecting the group’s growing power and influence in the country. In addition to its operations within Colombia, the ELN has also expanded into neighboring Venezuela, where it operates with relative impunity due to the lack of military oversight and the protection offered by the Venezuelan government under Nicolás Maduro. This partnership has made the ELN an even more formidable force in the region, further complicating Colombia’s efforts to restore peace.
The situation in Colombia has also been exacerbated by tensions between President Petro and Venezuelan President Maduro. While both leaders share a leftist political ideology, their relationship has soured in recent months. Petro, who had previously hoped for a productive relationship with Venezuela, has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of Maduro’s autocratic rule. The Colombian president has condemned Maduro for his crackdown on political opponents and his refusal to accept the results of a recent election that many countries, including the United States, believe was rigged in Maduro’s favor. As Petro’s rhetoric grows more critical of Maduro, tensions between the two countries continue to rise, further complicating the situation on the border.
The international community has been closely monitoring the situation in Colombia, with organizations like the United Nations and the International Crisis Group warning of the growing risk of a full-blown humanitarian disaster. The Red Cross has reported tracking at least eight separate armed conflicts within Colombia’s borders, underscoring the widespread nature of the violence. Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has confirmed that the number of people displaced by the ongoing violence in Catatumbo has surpassed 18,000, and the death toll continues to rise.
In the face of this mounting crisis, officials are calling for an immediate end to the violence. Iris Marín, Colombia’s ombudsman, described the current situation as “one of the largest and most serious humanitarian crises that Catatumbo has faced.” She has urged the armed groups involved to put an end to the suffering and allow for peace to return to the region.
As the situation in Colombia continues to deteriorate, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution that will bring peace to this war-torn country. But as long as rival armed groups continue to battle for control, the path to peace remains uncertain, and the future of Colombia’s security hangs in the balance.
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