At least 80 people died when negotiations failed

(CLO) More than 80 people have been killed in just three days in northeastern Colombia after peace talks between the government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) armed group failed, according to local officials.

Since last Thursday, the ELN has been launching an offensive in the Catatumbo region against a rival armed group made up of former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who have continued to fight despite the group's disarming in 2017.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Photo: FB / gustavopetrourrego

The death toll, including civilians and former FARC fighters, had risen to more than 80 by Sunday, up from 60 on Saturday, including seven former FARC fighters, in five areas of the cocaine-producing region bordering Venezuela, Norte de Santander state governor William Villamizar said.

Among those killed were community leader Carmelo Guerrero and seven people who were trying to sign a peace deal, according to a report by the Colombian Government Inspectorate.

The fighting has forced thousands of people to flee their homes, many fleeing into densely forested mountains or seeking relief centres set up by the government.

Governor Villamizar said about 5,000 people had been evacuated, while dozens were injured. He described the situation as “alarming”.

“Catatumbo needs help. Children, young people and entire families are leaving their homes with nothing, traveling by any means possible, even on foot, to avoid becoming victims of the conflict,” he said on Saturday.

In response to the escalating situation, the Colombian army has deployed more than 5,000 soldiers to the area to increase security. Army commander General Luis Emilio Cardozo Santamaria said a humanitarian corridor is being set up between the towns of Tibu and Cucuta to ensure the safety of evacuees.

The FARC signed a peace deal with the government in 2016, ending more than 50 years of civil war. However, violence continues as armed groups such as the ELN, FARC remnants, far-right paramilitaries and drug cartels fight over territory and drug trafficking routes.

The ELN has accused former FARC fighters of being behind several killings in the area, including the killing of a couple and their nine-month-old baby on January 15.

In a statement on Saturday, the ELN said it had warned the former FARC group that if it “continues to attack civilians, there will be no other option but armed confrontation.”

Tensions have also been rising as the ELN has clashed with the Gulf Clan drug cartel – Colombia’s largest criminal organisation – leaving at least nine people dead in another area in the north of the country.

In the face of escalating violence, Colombian President Gustavo Petro decided to suspend peace talks with the ELN on Friday, raising concerns about the future of his “comprehensive peace” plan.

Cao Phong (according to AJ, AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/colombia-it-nhat-80-nguoi-thiet-mang-khi-cuoc-dam-phan-voi-phien-quan-that-bai-post331153.html