Escalation in Colombia: the number of victims of violence has increased to 80 people

In northeastern Colombia, a serious armed conflict is raging in the Catatumbo region, as a result of which dozens of people have died and thousands have been forced to flee their homes. This is reported by Reuters, transmits UNN.

Details

The escalating violence has been blamed on the National Liberation Army (ELN), which has been attacking local community leaders, as well as former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who demobilized following the signing of a 2016 peace deal.

According to the government, the fighting has caused one of the bloodiest waves of violence in recent years. At least 80 dead have been recorded, although earlier the Minister of Defense estimated the number of victims at 60. In total, about 8,000 people were forced to leave their homes because of the danger.

The situation prompted a sharp reaction from President Gustavo Petro, who announced the end of peace talks with the ELN, accusing the group of war crimes. The government sees attacks on civilians and community activists as an attempt by terrorists to tighten control over a region rich in natural resources and important for drug trafficking.

Historically, Colombia has suffered from years of conflict between government forces, rebel groups and criminal organizations. The struggle for control over the territories has repeatedly become the cause of humanitarian crises, especially in remote areas where the influence of the central government is limited.

In a statement, the ELN tried to justify its actions, claiming that the targets of the attacks were not civilians, but armed groups formed from former FARC members. However, international observers are calling for an immediate investigation, stressing the need to protect the civilian population.

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