Colombia: Calls for mediation in ELN-EPL Catatumbo violence /update 4

Event

A local human rights’ group in Teorama is calling on the international community - notably the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - to mediate talks between the ELN guerrilla group (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) and the EPL armed group (Ejército Popular de Liberación). The ELN and the EPL (also known as Los Pelusos) are currently involved in armed conflict in the Catatumbo area of Norte de Santander department. The situation has escalated since March 14 and, according to a communiqué released last week by the ELN, the EPL has “declared war” on the ELN.

According to the UN, in the past week (as of March 26) at least 17,000 local residents have been affected in some way by the violence, with 1350 having fled their homes. At least three civilians have been killed.

Context

The violence is due to a turf war between the EPL - considered by the Colombian government to be a narco-terrorist organization - and the ELN for control of Catatumbo, an area of coca cultivation previously controlled by the now-demobilized FARC guerrilla group. 

Catatumbo is located in the northeast of Norte de Santander along the Venezuelan border 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 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.