Colombia: ELN-EPL clashes continue in Catatumbo March 20 /update 2

Event

As of Tuesday, March 20, clashes have continued between members of the criminal paramilitary group EPL (Ejército Popular de Liberación) and the guerrilla group ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) in the Catatumbo area of Norte de Santander department.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), at least 17,000 people have been affected by the clashes in the municipalities of San Calixto, El Tarra, Teorama, Convención, Hacarí, El Carmen, and Tibú. On March 20, authorities in Catatumbo announced that schools would close in the abovementioned municipalities from Wednesday, March 21, through Sunday, April 1. Further clashes between the EPL and the ELN are likely in the coming days and weeks.

Context

A turf war between the EPL and the ELN for control of Catatumbo has led to a major deterioration of security conditions in the region in recent months. Tensions between the two groups continue to mount and the situation is believed by some to be "on the brink of war."

Catatumbo is located in the northeast of Norte de Santander and comprises the following 11 municipalities: Ábrego, Convención, El Carmen, El Tarra, Hacarí, La Playa, Ocaña, San Calixto, Sardinata, Teorama, and Tibú.

Advice

Individuals in Norte de Santander are advised to keep abreast of the situation and postpone nonessential travel to the Catatumbo sub-region until further notice. On a more general note, due to the presence of a number of armed groups, some Western governments advise against travel to various parts of the country, including much of Norte de Santander department and other areas along the Venezuelan border.