BOGOTA, Colombia

The irregular armed groups that emerged after the 2016 peace accord between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) is driving more civilians from their homes across the country than before due to their illegal activities.

Anadolu explored the problem of forced displacement, described as a "bleeding wound" in the country.

More than 123,000 civilians were forced to leave their homes in 2022 due to the clashes of gangs that committed crimes such as drug trafficking, illegal mining operations, and the forcible recruitment of children.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), many armed conflicts continue, especially in rural and border regions of Colombia.

The ICRC said they found cases such as forced detention, disproportionate use of force, sexual violence, and the forced recruitment of children.

Over 1,100 people missing since peace deal

Noting that 1,122 people have gone missing since the peace agreement, the ICRC said that 56 people also died over the past six years due to explosive devices.

Some armed groups that emerged after the 2016 peace deal have created security problems, especially for people living in the country's remote towns and villages.

The drug smuggling activities of armed groups, the operation of illegal mines, and mutual attacks by rival gangs make things harder for villagers who make their living from agriculture and animal husbandry.

Forced displacements rising

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) said that in 2012, 45,022 Colombians were displaced forcibly, followed by 41,287 in 2013, 41,956 in 2014, 19,887 in 2015, 14,321 in 2016, 18,817 in 2017, 51,212 in 2018, 25,048 in 2019, 32,217 in 2020, 82,846 in 2021 and over 123,000 in 2022.

It noted that after the 2016 peace accord, the number of forced displacements dropped, but then rose dramatically.

USAID stressed that among the groups who did not lay down their weapons and caused this problem are the narcotraffic criminal group Clan del Golfo, the National Liberation Army (ELN), the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC), Segunda Marquetalia, the Self-Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada, and former members of FARC.

Areas hardest hit by armed conflicts, violence

Among the administrative regions of the country, Narino, Antioquia, Arauca, Choca, Cauca, Norte de Santander and Caqueta are known as the places worst affected by armed conflicts and violence.

Last year alone, 11,470 people in Narino and 6,412 people in Antioquia were displaced due to threats and blackmail by irregular armed groups.

Systematic problems

Lorenzo Caraffi, head of the Red Cross delegation in Colombia, said there has been a reduction in clashes between armed groups and security forces, which means some relief, especially for locals.

Underlining that human rights violations against civilians continue, Caraffi said there are some systematic problems, and if these are overcome, people can continue to hope that the armed conflicts will end.

He said that after 2018, they saw armed actors in the country reorganize and concentrate in the south of the country and also towards the Venezuelan border.

Underlining that there have been 426 attacks against healthcare facilities and workers in rural areas in recent years, he stated that 55% of these took place in Antioquia, Northern Santander, Cauca, Choco, and Huila.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan