Colombia: “State of rebellion” in four northern departments

Event

On Tuesday, May 30, the governors of the northern Caribbean departments of Magdalena, Bolívar, Cesar, and Atlántico declared a "state of rebellion" to put pressure on the government to fulfill promises made to alleviate the effects of major flooding and severe weather in their respective regions. The governors criticize the slow implementation of recovery projects and a lack of resources required to meet the needs of the local population. They are demanding, among other things, the construction of dykes and retaining walls, better risk management systems, and economic assistance.

Context

Months of torrential rains, the worst seen in the country in six years, have resulted in major destruction in large areas of the country. Flooding and landslides are common during the rainy seasons, which typically occur April-May and October-November. The current rainy season has been more intense than usual due to the cyclical climatic phenomenon La Niña.

On a related note, the above area is home to Colombia's two main Caribbean ports, Barranquilla and Cartagena. The Pacific port of Buenaventura, the country's largest, is currently shut down by local residents amid major anti-government protests. The actions of the Caribbean governors, along with the protest movement in Buenaventura, falls within the context of decades-old accusations of state neglect and corruption in the region.

Advice

Individuals present in the affected departments are advised to monitor the situation and avoid any associated demonstrations.