Colombia: EPL “declares war” on ELN in Catatumbo /update 3

Event

According to a communiqué released by the guerrilla group ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional), the EPL armed group (Ejército Popular de Liberación) has declared war against the ELN in the Catatumbo area of Norte de Santander department. The EPL has also accused the ELN of aggressions; in late February, the ELP released its own communiqué, accusing the ELN of carrying out “systematic assaults against local communities” and stating the group was prepared to respond militarily against the ELN if necessary.

A turf war between the EPL and the ELN for control of Catatumbo, an area of coca cultivation previously controlled by the now-demobilized FARC guerrilla group, has led to a major deterioration of security conditions in the region in recent months. Hundreds of residents have been displaced by the fighting in recent weeks and at least three civilians have been killed. There have also been reports of roadblocks erected by the ELP. The Norte de Santander administration is preparing to respond to a potential humanitarian crisis.

The EPL, an armed criminal group also known as Los Pelusos, is considered by the Colombian government to be a narco-terrorist organization.

Context

Catatumbo is located in the northeast of Norte de Santander along the Venezuelan border and comprises the following 11 muncipalities: 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 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.