Colombia declares state of internal unrest in violence-plagued region

BOGOTA, Colombia

The Colombian government issued a decree on Friday declaring a state of internal unrest in response to the escalating security crisis in the Catatumbo region.

The 19-page decree, signed by the entire cabinet, acknowledges that the measure was implemented due to intense fighting between the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas and a dissident faction of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The government has deployed thousands of troops to contain the widespread violence, which has erupted across the country, from the remote Amazon jungle in the south to the mountainous northeastern border with Venezuela. The conflict has resulted in over 80 deaths and displaced more than 40,000 people.

According to authorities, the escalation of violence was triggered by a breakdown in a truce between the ELN and the 33rd Front, a dissident group led by "Calarcá," following a surge in cocaine prices.

“Since January 16, 2025, the serious disturbance of public order in the Catatumbo region has intensified due to military operations by the ELN against the civilian population and institutions including attacks on communities and individuals who signed the 2016 peace agreement, which has generated a grave and unpredictable humanitarian crisis particularly affecting vulnerable populations," the decree states.

“The ELN has increased its attacks and hostilities against the civilian population and, especially, against the signatories of the final peace agreement in the Catatumbo region, fueled, among other factors, by resources derived from illegal activities and economies within the region," it further emphasizes.

The state of internal unrest, a measure that grants the government special powers, will remain in effect for 90 days and will be applied to 16 municipalities in Norte de Santander, Cúcuta, and two municipalities in the neighboring department of Cesar, where thousands of displaced individuals have sought refuge.

This state of emergency allows the government to issue decrees with the force of law and suspend certain laws for a specified period.

The government acknowledged in the decree that implementing this measure will necessitate the reallocation of funds from other programs to support the military's efforts to restore public order.

"Despite the rescue and protection of more than 500 civilians threatened by the ELN, a significant number of people remain trapped and confined in the affected areas, unable to be evacuated due to limited air resources," the decree states.

The last time a state of internal unrest was declared in Colombia was 16 years ago during the administration of President Álvaro Uribe.​​​​​​​