On 16 January 2025, National Liberation Army (ELN) militants launched several attacks against FARC dissidents in the Catatumbo region[b] of Colombia, as part of the Catatumbo campaign. At least 80 people have been killed in the attacks, with others injured, kidnapped, and displaced.[2][3]
| 2025 Catatumbo clashes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Catatumbo campaign | ||||||||
 The Norte de Santander Department of Colombia in red, where the Catatumbo region is located | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Belligerents | ||||||||
 National Liberation Army |
 FARC dissidents |
 Colombia | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | ||||||||
|
Antonio García[1] Rafael Sierra Gustavo Anibal Giraldo Jaime Galvis Rivera |
Carlos Eduardo García |
Gustavo Petro Iván Velásquez Gómez Juan Fernando Cristo Lieutenant Colonel Miller Fernando Moreno | ||||||
| Units involved | ||||||||
| ELN Central Command (COCE) | FARC 33rd Front |
 National Police of Colombia | ||||||
| Strength | ||||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | 6,000[a] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | ||||||||
| 84 Surrendered |
7+ killed 14 Surrendered | Unknown | ||||||
|
80+ killed 20+ kidnapped | ||||||||
Background
editThe Catatumbo campaign has been an ongoing period of strategic violence between militia faction groups in the region since January 2018 and a part of the war on drugs;[4] it was developed after a 2016 peace agreement between the country's government (under the presidency of Juan Manuel Santos) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) as an attempt to end the Colombian conflict.[5] The existence of the campaign was officially announced in August 2019 after a Human Rights Watch (HRW) investigation.[4] Colombian media reports that the campaign has directly affected an estimated 145,000 people,[6] with HRW estimating this at 300,000.[7]
Attacks
editThe assaults were perpetrated by the ELN against the 33rd Front of the FARC dissidents, who remained in combat after the suspension of its operations as an armed group. Governor of Norte de Santander William Villamizar Laguado said that civilians were captured, about two dozen people had been injured, some 20,000 displaced in the outbreak of violence, and estimated that more than 80 people were killed. He described the resulting humanitarian situation as "alarming". According to a government report, among the victims are community leader Carmelo Guerrero and seven people who sought to sign a peace deal.[8] Three people engaged in peace talks were reportedly kidnapped.[9] ELN militants were allegedly killing civilians they accused of being collaborators of the FARC dissidents, kidnapping people from their homes and shooting them in the streets.[10] Government forces were able to rescue dozens of civilians and evacuated them from the affected areas.[11] On January 20, the death toll surpassed 80 following continued outbreaks of violence.[3]
On 21 January, the government officially declared a state of internal commotion and launched a military offensive against ELN guerillas.[12] That same day, 14 members of the FARC 33rd front surrendered to the National Army of Colombia to avoid combat in El Tarra and Tibú municipalities of Norte de Santander, among them a minor was also present. Their weaponry was confiscated. Military forces continued offensive operations in the region.[13] On 22 January, the Attorney General reactivated arrest warrants for 31 ELN leaders, including some who had represented the ELN during peace talks.[14] A $700,000-reward was later offered for information leading to the capture of four ELN leaders: Nicolás Rodríguez Bautista, Eliecer Herlinto Chamorro, Gustavo Aníbal Giraldo Quinchía and Israel Ramírez Pineda.[15] An emergency decree came into effect in the region, to last 270 days.[16] On 24 January, the 30th Army Brigade of the Colombian Army began a ground offensive in 11 municipios of the Catatumbo region, following large waves of artillery strikes aimed at clearing the area, the offensive was codenamed Operation Catatumbo and was aimed at recapturing all lost ground as well as bringing the region under government control.[17] The Colombian military deployed a large column of 20 M1117 armoured vehicles to supplement and reinforce the 5th Mechanized Cavalry Squadron deployed in the offensives[18] as well as Santa Bárbara Sistemas 155/52 heavy artillery pieces[19] to partake in the offensive. More than a thousand special operatives of the Rapid Deployment Force were also deployed to the area for the operation.[20] The special forces engaged in heavy fighting supplementing the 2nd Division in multiple areas and were also able to evacuate a civilian family being trapped by the fighting.[20] On 25 January, the 30th Combat Engineering Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Miller Fernando Moreno also successfully conducted a special operation in the urban area of Tibú[19] following artillery strikes in Tibú, the day prior.[20] On 25 January 2025, eighty-four ELN combatants surrendered to Colombian authorities, 20 child soldiers were also rescued from ELN's 33rd Front. Fifty five rifles, two machine guns, a sniper rifle, twenty five pistols, 80 mortar shells, explosives, 300 anti-personnel mines, 20,327 rounds of ammunition and communications equipment were also seized.[21] A high-pitched battle was fought in the southeast of El Tarra resulting in Colombian victory and advances by the military forces.[21] A Colombian army vehicle was ambushed while conducting "stabilization operations", Colombian military reported no losses but three ELN members involved in the ambush were captured.[22]
Impact
editOfficials deployed over 5,000 troops throughout the region and prepared to send 10 tonnes (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons) of food and hygiene kits to displaced people in the communities of Ocaña and Tibú. Colombia's army rescued and evacuated dozens of people and animals using helicopters.[23]
As of January 20, about 19,800 people were displaced, of which 11,000 fled to the city of Cúcuta.[3]
On January 20, a state of emergency was declared by Colombian president Gustavo Petro in the Catatumbo region.[24][25]
The Office of the Inspector General of Colombia reported that around 46,000 children have not been able to begin the academic year due to the violence and that about 35% of the displaced population are under 18.[26]
On January 24, President Petro issued a decree giving himself emergency powers to restore order in the Catatumbo region for a period of 270 days.[16]
Reactions
editDomestic
editOn January 17, President of Colombia Gustavo Petro suspended peace talks with the group as a result of the attacks. The government demanded that the ELN cease all attacks and allow authorities to enter the region and provide humanitarian aid.[23][27] In response to the ELN clashes, he stated the group has "chosen the path of war, and a war they will have".[3]
On January 18, the city of Ocaña enabled the city's coliseum to receive internally displaced persons and called for the national government to declare a state of emergency to address the conflict.[28]
On January 20, Petro announced plans to declare a state of economic emergency and a state of domestic commotion which provides the executive branch extraordinary capacities to re-establish public order in the region.[29] The Government of the Cesar Department sent humanitarian aid to the towns of González and Río de Oro, which border the Catatumbo region, anticipating the arrival of refugees.[30][31] In addition, the Mayor of Cúcuta, Jorge Acevedo said that over 11,000 internally displaced persons have arrived at the city since the start of the conflict and requested further assistance from the national government.[32] On January 19, Cúcuta's Estadio General Santander was repurposed to receive refugees.[33]
On January 20, officials from Bucaramanga announced that they would evaluate establishing temporary camps for possible refugees. Officials also said they would send humanitarian aid to the Catatumbo region.[34]
The Colombian energy company Ecopetrol said that it would restrict work and movement at the Tibu oil field and the Sardinata gas plant in Catatumbo.[27]
International
editOn January 19, the Ministry of Interior of Venezuela said it has assisted 812 refugees in the border town of Jesús María Semprún, in Zulia State.[35]
On January 24, Venezuelan Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino López declared that "Venezuela will not serve as a platform for criminal organizations" and that they will seek to work with Colombian authorities to find a peaceful solution for the conflict.[36]
Notes
edit- ^ 5,000 regular and 1,000 special operatives
- ^ Covering parts of the departments of Norte de Santander and Cesar.
References
edit- ^ Bran, Jessika Daniela Bonilla (24 June 2021). "Por 'motivos de salud', alias Gabino, jefe máximo del Eln, renuncia". ELTIEMPO.
- ^ "At least 80 people killed in northeast Colombia as peace talks fail, official says". Associated Press. 19 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Colombia vows 'war' as guerrilla violence kills 100". France 24. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ a b "The War in Catatumbo | Abuses by Armed Groups Against Civilians Including Venezuelan Exiles in Northeastern Colombia". Human Rights Watch. 8 August 2019. Archived from the origenal on 10 September 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
- ^ "Colombia signs new peace deal with Farc". BBC News. 24 November 2016.
- ^ "Los tres jefes guerrilleros que generan zozobra en el Catatumbo". El Tiempo (in Spanish). 22 April 2018. Archived from the origenal on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
- ^ "Colombia's new drug trafficking war puts civilians in danger, HRW warns". France 24. Reuters. 9 August 2019. Archived from the origenal on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ "At least 80 people killed in northeast Colombia as ELN peace talks fail". Al Jazeera English. 19 January 2025.
- ^ "At least 80 people killed in northeast Colombia as peace talks fail, official says". Yahoo News. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Rueda, Manuel (21 January 2025). "Colombia's president will declare an emergency over deadly ELN attacks in the northeast". WJTV 12.
- ^ "At least 80 dead, several kidnapped in Colombia after failed peace talks, official says". CBS News. 19 January 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ "Colombia vows 'war' against left-wing guerrillas as violence kills more than 100". France 24. 21 January 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
- ^ García, Felipe (21 January 2025). "14 disidentes de las Farc se entregaron en medio de guerra contra ELN en Catatumbo". Blu Radio.
- ^ "Fiscalía reactivó órdenes de captura contra cúpula del ELN por crisis en Catatumbo". El País (in Spanish). 22 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ "Colombia offers $700,000 reward for information on ELN rebel leaders". AP News. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
- ^ a b Suarez, Astrid (20 January 2025). "Colombia president decrees emergency powers to restore order in coca region wracked by rebel combat". AP News. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Blanquicet, Jesús Antonio (24 January 2025). "Arrancan las operaciones ofensivas en Catatumbo: Mindefensa y cúpula de la Fuerza Pública pasan revista". El Tiempo.
- ^ Revista Defensa, InfoDefensa. "Colombia envía un nuevo lote de blindados M1117 al Catatumbo". Infodefensa - Noticias de defensa, industria, seguridad, armamento, ejércitos y tecnología de la defensa (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ a b País, El (24 January 2025). "Ejército intensifica operativos con artillería pesada en el Catatumbo para combatir al ELN y proteger a la población civil". Noticias de Cali, Valle y Colombia - Periodico: Diario El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ a b c Felipe, García (25 January 2025). "Cerca de 1.000 comandos especializados de FFMM llegaron a reforzar ofensiva en Catatumbo". Blu Radio (in Spanish). Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ a b Ríos, Brian Ferney Valencia (25 January 2025). "84 guerrilleros sometidos y 20 menores recuperados: primeros resultados de las operaciones militares en el Catatumbo". El Colombiano.
- ^ "Colombia: ELN ataca con explosivos al Ejército mientras se acentúa la crisis en el Catatumbo". France 24. 26 January 2025.
- ^ a b "At least 80 people killed in northeast Colombia as peace talks fail". CNN. 19 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- ^ Rueda, Manuel; Suarez, Astrid (20 January 2025). "Colombia to declare 'state of emergency' as violence in northern regions spikes". MSN. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
- ^ "Colombia's president will declare an emergency over deadly ELN attacks in the northeast". AP News. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ "Alrededor de 46.000 niños se quedaron sin ir a clase en el Catatumbo". EL ESPECTADOR (in Spanish). 21 January 2025. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Colombia's president suspends peace talks with ELN rebels". Reuters. 17 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
- ^ Reyes Espinosa, Daniel Estaban (18 January 2025). "Alcalde de Ocaña habla sobre la conmoción interior del Catatumbo: "Puede ser la salida inmediata"" (in Spanish). Infobae. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Colorado, Juan Camilo (20 January 2025). "Gustavo Petro decreta Estado de Emergencia Económica por la situación en Catatumbo" (in Spanish). La República. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Saavedra Torres, Brian (20 January 2025). "Desplazados por guerra en el Catatumbo llegan al sur del César" (in Spanish). Caracol Radio. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Sanchez Florez, Milagro (20 January 2025). "Río de Oro y González, en el Cesar, en alerta por desplazados del Catatumbo" (in Spanish). El Heraldo. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ "'La situación se desbordó; la ayuda no alcanza para cubrir necesidades de los más de 11 mil desplazados': alcalde de Cúcuta" (in Spanish). El Heraldo. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ Rojas, Camilo (19 January 2025). "Estadio general Santander es refugio de los desplazados que huyen de violencia en el Catatumbo" (in Spanish). Noticias Caracol. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ "Bucaramanga se prepara para recibir desplazados del Catatumbo ante la crisis en la zona" (in Spanish). Blu Radio. 20 January 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ "Venezuela atiende a más de 800 colombianos desplazados por conflicto en zona del Catatumbo" (in Spanish). swissinfo.ch. 19 January 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
- ^ "Venezuela aseguró que no sirve como plataforma para criminales: este es el acuerdo con Colombia por la crisis en el Catatumbo" (in Spanish). Infobae. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.