More than 80 people have been killed, and thousands displaced in a surge of guerrilla violence in Colombia, with fighting escalating between rival armed groups in the Catatumbo region. The violence erupted on January 9, 2025, as the National Liberation Army (ELN) launched an assault on former members of the FARC guerrilla force in the mountainous area of northern Colombia, leading to the deaths of civilians and combatants alike.
In just four days, more than 11,000 people have fled the violence, seeking refuge in neighboring Venezuela or within shelters set up in towns like Tibu. Displaced families have been traveling on overloaded motorcycles, boats, and trucks, escaping the horrors of the conflict. Many who crossed the border into Venezuela expressed the pain of leaving their homeland, but sought safety amid escalating violence.
Governor William Villamizar of Norte de Santander confirmed the growing death toll, with many casualties resulting from indiscriminate attacks by the ELN on both civilians and suspected members of rival groups. The Colombian Army has deployed around 5,000 troops to the region, attempting to contain the violence and safeguard civilians, while also providing food and refuge on military bases.
The violence is a setback for the peace process in Colombia, as ongoing conflict between leftist guerrilla groups like the ELN and former FARC fighters, alongside right-wing paramilitaries and drug cartels, continues to destabilize rural areas. President Gustavo Petro has condemned the actions of the ELN, accusing them of committing war crimes and halting peace negotiations as a result. The ELN, one of the largest remaining armed groups in Colombia, has been involved in the drug trade and ongoing clashes with criminal organizations such as the Gulf Clan.
As the country grapples with this violence, efforts continue to provide humanitarian aid to those affected and to find a lasting resolution to the conflict that has spanned decades.
