Colombia: EPL ends shutdown strike in Catatumbo April 30 /update 10

Event

The EPL armed 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 begin 06:00 (local time) on Monday, April 30, to allow for talks to take place in a bid to end the armed conflict ongoing in the region between the EPL and the ELN guerrilla group (Ejército de Liberación Nacional). However, continued violence and significant disruptions to daily life (transportation, commerce, etc.) are likely in the coming days and weeks. 

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 in the region April 16. Some 5000 civilians have already 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.