Thousands Flee Colombian Border Region, Seeking Refuge in Venezuela as Guerrilla Violence Escalates

Violence between guerrilla groups in Colombia's Catatumbo region has forced thousands of residents to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge in neighboring Venezuela. The Colombian village of Tres Bocas has been abandoned as clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the FARC-EMC escalate, resulting in at least 100 deaths and about 20,000 displaced people over six days.

According to the United Nations, around 1,000 individuals have crossed into Venezuela for safety. The UN also reported about 30 people had been kidnapped. "Many of them are afraid of the firefights that have broken out," Jaime Botero, president of a community association in Tibu, located just 10 kilometers from Tres Bocas, told the Associated Press.

The Catatumbo region, located on the border with Venezuela, is home to about 300,000 residents and produces 15% of Colombia's coca crop. Both the ELN and FARC-EMC have long fought for control over this area, but the recent bout of violence marks a significant escalation. Last week ELN rebels launched an attack on civilians, accusing them of supporting the FARC-EMC. Witnesses reported rebels dragging people from their homes and executing them at close range.

In response, Colombian President Gustavo Petro suspended peace talks with the ELN on Friday, accusing the group of committing war crimes. Petro announced this week plans to issue an emergency decree, allowing him to pass legislation concerning the conflict without congressional approval.

The United Nations has condemned the violence, particularly the targeting of civilians, including former combatants who had signed the 2016 peace agreement. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the displacement of thousands and urged the rebel groups to respect civilians' rights. The U.N. also reported the recent killing of two human rights defenders in the region.

For many Colombians, the recent bloodshed carries echoes of a civil war that killed 450,000 over more than half a century, making the country synonymous with armed violence and drug-trafficking. The world's largest cocaine producer has seen coca cultivation surge since 2020. By September 2024 authorities had seized nearly as much cocaine as in all of 2023. Meanwhile, a wastewater analysis in Europe showed rising consumption, underscoring the drug's global reach.

Dominant cartels, such as Pablo Escobar's Medellín Cartel, historically controlled every stage of the cocaine supply chain. However, the 1993 death of Escobar marked a turning point. Subsequent law enforcement actions dismantled other cartels, paving the way for decentralized networks.