Catastrophe in Catatumbo: Violence controls over 50,000 escape in Colombia!

Catastrophe in Catatumbo: Violence controls over 50,000 escape in Colombia!

In Colombia, the acts of violence in the Catatumbo region are dramatic. Between 60 and 80 people have already died, while more than 50,000 inhabitants were sold. President Gustavo Petro described the situation as the "failure of the nation". Despite his efforts to "comprehensive peace" and negotiations with the Guerrilla group eln since 2022, he had to cancel the talks due to the intensive escalation of violence in Catatumbo. On January 24, the Colombian military entered the conflict to act against the ELLEN and the dissidents of Farc, which led to the first armed clashes three weeks later. Experts warn that the military intervention could further exacerbate the already catastrophic humanitarian situation, such as Kleine Zeitung reported.

Humanitarian crisis and international pressure

The catastrophic location in Catatumbo, which is of great economic importance due to its natural resources, including oil and coca, leads to the life of the residents completely out of joint. Olga Quintero, a prominent representative of the rural population, emphasizes the need for immediate measures by the government and the international community. Six of the youngest murder victims were signatories of the 2016 peace agreement. Quintero demands the protection of the civilian population and the implementation of humanitarian corridors to provide help. It points out that human rights are in danger if both state and non-state institutions do not remain active in the region. The Austrian Foreign Minister has already advised traveling to the region and refers to a high security risk, which also tightens the precarious situation of the civilian population.

In addition, the Catatumbo region is literally dominated by armed groups. These not only fight for control over the lucrative drug markets, but also exacerbate the existing armed conflict. Historically, Catatumbo is a focal point for conflicts that are reinforced by natural resources and geopolitical tensions. The term "transborder" describes the strategic situation of the region that borders on Venezuela and thus also has geopolitical implications, as wikipedia . The ongoing conflict is not only an internal challenge for Colombia, but also has an impact on the international community.