Colombia Guerrilla Violence Kills Over 100

On Monday, President Gustavo Petro declared a "state of internal commotion," granting the government special powers to pass certain laws without congressional approval for the next three months. The declaration comes in response to escalating violence in the Catatumbo region and Guaviare jungle, where armed factions have clashed over control of lucrative drug trafficking routes.

The violence has primarily been fueled by the left-wing National Liberation Army (ELN) and splintered factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which once united under a single banner but now operate independently. In Catatumbo, ELN forces have targeted both civilians and rival groups, killing at least 100 people and forcing thousands to flee their homes. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that more than 18,000 people have been displaced, with many seeking refuge in nearby towns or crossing into neighboring Venezuela.

Meanwhile, rival factions of the FARC continue to engage in deadly clashes in the Guaviare region, resulting in at least 20 deaths. These factions split last year due to internal disagreements, with one group entering peace talks with the government while the other has remained committed to armed resistance following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement.

The recent wave of violence marks a pivotal moment for President Petro, who campaigned on a promise of "total peace" in 2022, advocating for de-escalation and dialogue with armed groups. However, the ELN's renewed aggression has led him to signal a shift in his approach. "The ELN has chosen the path of war, and that's what they will get," Petro stated in a post on X, vowing to deploy thousands of troops to affected areas.

Colombia's ongoing conflict, which has spanned over six decades and been fueled by drug trafficking, has claimed over 450,000 lives and displaced millions, leaving deep scars on the nation.