Clashes Between Colombian Irregular Forces Leave 13 Dead in Catatumbo
Colombian soldiers transport victims of conflicts between irregular forces in Catatumbo. Photo: EFE
January 28, 2025 Hour: 9:20 am
Since January 16, the wave of violence has resulted in over 100 deaths and 48,000 displaced people.
On Monday, Colombian media reported that 13 people were killed in clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and a group of dissidents from the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the municipality of Teorama, in the Catatumbo region.
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Eight of the 13 bodies were transported to Cucuta, while the remaining ones were left in the rural area of San Vicente. A local government official stated that the removal of the bodies was monitored by ELN guerrillas, who did not allow photographs to be taken.
According to the government of Norte de Santander, clashes between irregular armed groups have so far resulted in over 100 deaths and 48,000 displaced people.
Among the deceased are five signatories of the 2016 peace agreement, two social leaders, and three minors. Authorities also report that around 25,000 people remain confined in the municipalities of Tibu (17,733) and Teorama (6,000).
In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Catatumbo, Colombian President Gustavo Petro deployed approximately 150 police officers to the conflict zone to carry out “helicopter extractions” of civilians at risk.
“Catatumbo has some violent actors who have changed over time. They came to defend the population, they came to carry out a revolution to improve the lives of farmers, but they’ve ended up doing the opposite,” he stated.
His remarks were made during a cabinet meeting held in Ocaña, a city that has become one of the main reception centers for thousands of people displaced by the violence since January 16.
On January 24, Petro declared a “State of Internal Commotion”, which will last 90 days and will apply to 16 municipalities in the department of Norte de Santander. This measure covers eleven municipalities in Catatumbo, the departmental capital Cucuta, and two municipalities in the department of Cesar that are receiving displaced people.
teleSUR/ JF Sources: EFE – El Colombiano
