Government of Colombia declares “state of internal shock” in Catatumbo

Published at: 24/01/2025 08:18 PM

The Government of Colombia issued a decree declaring a state of internal turmoil, following a violent incursion by the National Liberation Army (ELN) in the Catatumbo region (northeast), in the department of Norte de Santander, last week, which has caused a large displacement of civilians to Venezuela.

The state of internal shock will be for a period of 90 days from the entry into force of this decree, according to the official document. Although it was initially announced that the state of shock would apply throughout the country and would be accompanied by the declaration of economic emergency, the final document only speaks of “internal shock” and in some areas of the country, close to Catatumbo.

The Government indicates that it is an “indispensable measure to adopt mechanisms and tools” that allow them to avoid “worsening” the security crisis.

Since mid-January, members of the ELN entered Catatumbo to face dissidents from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for territorial control of the region. In addition, several signatories of the 2016 peace accords were assassinated.

In response to the crisis, President Gustavo Petro suspended peace talks with the ELN, accusing the group of committing war crimes.

Mazo News Team