Over the weekend, violence in northeastern Colombia, following the suspension of peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN), resulted in over 80 deaths and left another 20 injured. Thousands have been displaced, forced to flee into the mountains or seek refuge in government shelters, as the Colombian army works to evacuate residents. Community leader Carmelo Guerrero was among those killed, according to a report from a government ombudsman agency.
The attacks occurred in the Catatumbo region near the Venezuelan border, with at least three peace talk participants reportedly kidnapped. Amidst this crisis, Defense Minister Iván Velásquez emphasized the need to prioritize saving lives and ensuring community security. Meanwhile, officials prepared emergency supplies for roughly 5,000 affected individuals. Governor of North Santander, William Villamizar, highlighted the dire situation, stating, "Catatumbo needs help."
The escalation comes after Colombia ended peace talks with the ELN, sparking urgent appeals for the insurgents to cease hostilities and allow humanitarian aid into the region. The ELN, involved in territorial clashes with former members of guerrilla group FARC over control of coca-rich lands, justified its aggressive actions as a response to ongoing provocations. As displacement continues, local official José Trinidad expressed fear of a worsening humanitarian crisis and implored armed groups to pursue a peaceful resolution to spare civilians from further suffering. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)