Colombia: ELN-FARC clashes in Nariño Dec. 17

Event

Clashes broke out between members of the ELN guerrilla group and ex-FARC dissidents on Sunday, December 17, in Cumbal (Nariño department), near the Ecuadorian border. At least two people were killed. Various similar clashes have been reported in Nariño over the past few months, despite the official demobilization of the FARC group; the violence has displaced more than 200 residents.

Context

On a related note, a bilateral ceasefire between the ELN and the government is currently set to remain in effect until at least January 8, 2018. The above incident coincided with an announcement by the ELN in which the group iterated its desire to prolong the truce. The UN has also announced its support for a prolongation, while noting that the ceasefire has been violated nearly 30 times since it was signed in October 2017.

Besides the ELN and FARC dissidents, various other armed groups are active in Nariño. Paramilitary crime organizations (BACRIM) such as the Clan del Golfo have replaced leftist guerrillas as the most serious armed threat in Colombia today. These groups, involved in a rage of illicit activities including drug trafficking and illegal mining, have moved into the region to claim territory left by the demobilized FARC group, leading to violent turf wars as well as assassinations of local landowners and community leaders.

Advice

Due to the presence of a number of armed groups, some Western governments advise against travel to various parts of the country, particularly rural areas.