Colombia: Deadly ELN-EPL clashes continue in Catatumbo /update 11

Event

Recent clashes between the ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) and EPL (Ejército Popular de Liberación) armed groups in the Catatumbo region (Norte de Santander department) left several people dead as of May 15. Armed clashes between the groups have notably been recorded in the town of Hacarí and the villages of Castrillón and Mesitas (Hacarí municipality), as well as in the village of Versalles (Tibú municipality). The kidnapping and murder of a man from Guamalito district (El Carmen municipality) has also been reported. Also, on Wednesday, May 16, security forces neutralized an improvised explosive device (IED) in Ocaña municipality, suspected to have been planted by ELN militants. Further related acts of violence, including armed clashes, are to be expected in the Catatumbo region in the coming weeks.

Context

The ELN and EPL have been engaged in armed conflict in Catatumbo 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. 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.