Deadly Clashes Erupt in Colombia After Peace Talks Collapse

In northeastern Colombia, more than 80 people have lost their lives in recent violent clashes, making it one of the deadliest periods in the region's history. William Villamizar, the governor of North Santander, reported that over 20 people were also injured. The conflict has forced thousands to flee their homes in the Catatumbo region, near the Venezuelan border. Some have taken refuge in the mountains, while others have sought help at government shelters. The escalating violence follows the suspension of peace talks between Colombia's government and the leftwing National Liberation Army (ELN). This is the second time talks have been halted in less than a year. The ELN, one of Colombia's most active armed groups, has been fighting against dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who refused to disarm after a 2016 peace deal. Adding to the complexity, the ELN has also clashed with the Clan del Golfo, a powerful rightwing paramilitary group turned drug trafficking cartel. For years, these armed groups have battled for control of the highly profitable coca plantations along the Colombia-Venezuela border, which fuel the global cocaine trade. The ELN issued a statement claiming that they had warned former FARC members about attacking civilians, leading to the current armed confrontation. They also accused ex-FARC rebels of several killings, including the murder of a couple and their baby on January 15. In response to the crisis, Defense Minister Iván Velásquez planned to visit the town of Cúcuta. The government prepared to distribute 10 tons of food and hygiene kits to approximately 5, 000 people in the communities of Ocaña and Tibú, most of whom have fled the violence. President Gustavo Petro, elected in 2022, had initiated negotiations with the ELN and other armed groups to pursue "total peace. " However, he paused these talks after the recent outbreak of violence, accusing the ELN of committing "war crimes. "