24 Apr 2018 | 12:48 PM UTC
Colombia: ELP suspends shutdown strike in Catatumbo April 24-26 /update 9
ELP announce temporary suspension of forced strike in Catatumbo region (Norte de Santander) April 24-26
Event
The EPL crime group (Ejército Popular de Liberación; a.k.a. Los Pelusos) has said they will suspended an armed shutdown strike enforced in the Catatumbo region (Norte de Santander department) since mid-April. The suspension will run for a 60-hour period beginning at 06:00 (local time) on Tuesday, April 24. The strike, which has paralyzed the region amid the ongoing armed conflict, has been called for to allow stores to open and residents to stock up on necessities. The shutdown is set to resume at 18:00 on Thursday, April 26, and continue until the ELN guerrilla group (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) “ends its hostilities against Colombian security forces and the civilian population.”
Significant disruptions to transportation and commerce are to be anticipated once the strike resumes, along with clashes between the EPL and the ELN, or between these groups and Colombian security forces. Meanwhile, the government has decided to deploy an extra 2000 troops to the region; 8000 soldiers are already on site.
Context
The ELN and EPL have been engaged in armed conflict since mid-March over control of the area and its lucrative coca-growing lands, which were recently vacated by the now-demobilized FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia). The Colombian government declared a humanitarian emergency for the region on April 5 and the governor of Norte de Santander declared a general state of emergency for the region April 16. Some 5000 civilians have fled the area.
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 continue to 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.
