IACHR asks the State of Colombia to end the violence caused by armed groups

January 24, 2025

Washington, DC – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns the serious violence in the Colombian region of Catatumbo, which has left scores of people dead and caused one of the most numerous waves of forced displacement in Colombian history. The IACHR stresses its rejection of the actions of non-state armed groups to control territory and subdue the local population in the area. The IACHR urges the State to take all action necessary to address this situation, and to adopt redress measures that transform it by tackling the structural causes of the problem.

The actions of non-state armed groups—particularly the National Liberation Army (ELN)—in the North Santander department have reportedly left at least 60 people dead, and the death toll could continue to rise once the authorities have entered the areas worst affected by the clashes. Human rights defenders Carmelo Guerrero and Pedro María Ropero and at least six signatories of Colombia's Peace Agreement are among the dead, while a group of former rebels were kidnapped and subjected to forced disappearance.

The scale of the violence and the terror it has caused have led to the forced displacement of at least 41,236 people, who left the municipalities of San Calixto, Hacarí, Teorama, and Tibú to travel mainly to Ocaña (9,974), Cúcuta (15,086), and Tibú (12,362). The scale of this displacement has led to a collapse in public assistance systems and left the displaced extremely vulnerable, whether they have settled in private homes in Colombia or opted to cross the border into Venezuela. Further, more than 12,000 people are confined within their territories, including 23 indigenous communities of the Bari and Yukpa peoples. As a consequence of this situation, more than 46,000 children and adolescents have been left with no access to education.

These events have happened despite the fact that the Colombian Ombudsperson's Office had issued early alerts 021-24 and 026-24, to warn in advance about disputes between non-state armed groups for territorial control in areas with little State presence and where various illegal economic activities were being pursued. Early alert 007-24 warned of similar risks in the municipality of Calamar, in the Guaviare department, where clashes between these groups on January 20 left at least 20 people dead.

The State noted that the National Protection Unit—in charge of adopting protection measures in favor of signatories of the Peace Agreement and of human rights defenders and social leaders—had approved 140 individual and collective protection schemes in the Catatumbo region. Further, in reaction to early alerts, law enforcement agencies took measures to protect civilians. The authorities also increased the number of laboratories for the production of cocaine hydrochloride they destroyed, the amount of cocaine hydrochloride they intercepted, and the number of suspects they identified or caught in the act.

The State also noted that it had issued Decree 0062 of 2025, to declare a state of internal emergency with a view to controlling and stabilizing the situation on the ground, in order to enable the safe return of victims of forced displacement and the provision of assistance measures for those who return. The State said that the Peace Agreement Implementation Unit, the Territorial Renewal Agency, the Reintegration Agency, the Colombia Peace Fund, and the Victims Unit would all work to speed up the implementation of the Peace Agreement and to assist and support its signatories. Finally, the State said it would take additional measures to protect social leaders in the region.

The IACHR stresses the State's international obligation to protect the lives and integrity of all people in its full territory, and to ensure that human rights defenders and social leaders can do their work. The State also has an international obligation to provide all necessary resources to assist victims, particularly those who are confined or who have been displaced.

The IACHR stresses that peace is essential for the full exercise and enjoyment of human rights. In this context, the IACHR urges Colombia to practically and effectively develop—in consultation with the affected communities, and ensuring their free, prior, and informed consent—a holistic security response that addresses the economic, social, cultural, and environmental concerns of the local population. This approach would be in line with the Peace Agreement and with the regional development initiative known as Social Agreement for Catatumbo. Such a response should prioritize the areas worst affected by armed conflict and illegal economic activities, ensuring a comprehensive focus with differentiated gender, ethnic-racial, territorial, and generational perspectives.

The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 023/25

6:05 PM