Colombia: Government announces crackdown on post-FARC violence Dec. 18

Event

The Colombian government announced a major offensive by security forces on Monday, December 18, aimed at mitigating violence in rural areas once held by the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced the security initiative, known as "Plan Orus," after a series of security incidents, including the murders of over 78 local community leaders by several paramilitary groups thus far in 2017. Under the plan, roughly 63,000 Colombian military and police forces will be deployed to provide a rapid security response, when needed, in nearly 600 rural communities within 77 municipalities. Plan Orus is particularly aimed at countering the paramilitary groups that succeeded the now-defunct United Self-Defenders of Colombia (AUC) paramilitary group. A heightened security presence is expected in the affected rural areas of Colombia in the coming weeks and months.

Context

A revised peace deal between the FARC and the Colombian government was ratified by the Colombian congress in November 2016 despite vocal opposition. The deal ended an armed conflict that had killed more than 260,000 people over five decades. Following the complete disarmament of the FARC in August, an estimated 11,300 former militants moved into 26 demobilization zones, where they are receiving training to help transition to civilian life. However, Colombian security officials estimate that around 1000 former FARC members have joined organizations involved in drug trafficking. Additionally, UN officials reported that many former FARC militants have left government demobilization camps due to the slow pace of government reintegration activities. Security officials are concerned that outside of the government camps, the former fighters are vulnerable to recruitment by criminal organizations. On November 23, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced the government will increase efforts to combat former militants of the FARC who have joined armed criminal groups in recent months.

Advice

Individuals in Colombia are advised to monitor developments to the situation and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.

Additionally, due to the presence of a number of armed groups - including organized crime groups, drug cartels, right-wing militias, and local gangs - many Western governments advise against travel to various regions of the country (particularly rural zones), with the notable exceptions of the northern Caribbean regions and central areas (including Bogotá).