Last Friday, Senator Gustavo Petro announced on social media the suspension of the dialogue process with the armed group National Liberation Army (ELN), stating that it shows no willingness for peace. In northeastern Colombia, in the Catatumbo region, an escalation of violence has been reported with devastating results, according to a report from the Ombudsman’s Office.
The report revealed that at least 60 people have died, 32 have been kidnapped, and hundreds have been displaced as a result of recent acts of violence. The violence in the Catatumbo region is mainly attributed to the ELN, as well as dissidents from the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC), who have been engaged in armed confrontations despite the peace agreements signed in 2016.
The El Catatumbo area, bordering Venezuela, has been the scene of attacks that break a temporary truce between the guerrilla groups, which were in peace negotiation processes with the government of Gustavo Petro. Given the seriousness of the situation, the government decided to suspend talks with the ELN.
The Ombudsman’s Office warned about the extreme risk that various individuals, including social leaders, peace signatories, and children, face of being kidnapped or murdered due to the actions of the ELN in the region. Additionally, there has been an increase in the displacement of families to other municipalities and a concerning shortage of food in some communities.
In the words of the Ombudsman, "What the ELN has committed in Catatumbo are war crimes." The situation demands an urgent and strong response to protect the affected population and restore peace in the region.
