In a crucial drug trafficking area of Colombia, the death toll from rebel-linked violence has risen to 60, according to the government’s human rights ombudsman. Recent clashes between the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) and the now-disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) resulted in about 60 violent deaths, 32 kidnappings, and the displacement of hundreds of individuals.
President Gustavo Petro accused the ELN of committing a war crime, while the ELN blamed a FARC faction for initiating the conflict. The FARC faction, which stated it was withdrawing units to prevent further violence, did not respond publicly to the accusation made.
The Catatumbo region's significance for drug trafficking due to its proximity to Venezuela, where illegal armed groups export cocaine, has been highlighted by security sources.
Since 2022, President Petro’s administration has been engaged in peace talks with leftist guerrillas and criminal gangs. This initiative aims to bring an end to Colombia’s long-standing internal conflict, which, over six decades, has claimed the lives of at least 450,000 people.
The ombudsman’s office issued a warning about the vulnerable position social leaders and their families face for opposing the ELN. It urged the ELN and other armed groups to permit humanitarian assistance into the area and to "cease all attacks on the civilian population."