Colombia: EPL-army clashes in Catatumbo June 2-3 /update 12

Event

Heavy clashes broke out between the EPL crime group (Ejército Popular de Liberación; a.k.a. Los Pelusos) and members of the Colombian army in the violence-stricken Catatumbo region (Norte de Santander department) over the weekend June 2-3. The fighting occurred in Mesitas, a rural area of Hacarí municipality, during a verification mission being undertaken by ombudsman personnel. At least two civilians were wounded in the fighting, which occurred near an area where some 50 residents had taken refuge since March; they had fled another area of Catatumbo plagued by fighting between the EPL and the ELN guerrilla group (Ejército de Liberación Nacional).

On a related note, two assassination attempts were reported in Catatumbo’s Ocaña municipality on June 2, which left one person dead and two wounded.

Further violence, including armed clashes between the army, EPL, and/or the ELN, are to be expected in the Catatumbo region in the coming days and weeks.

Context

The ELN and EPL have been engaged in armed conflict in Catatumbo since mid-March 2018 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 in the region April 16. Thousands of 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 Colombia 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.