Colombia’s petro decrees emergency powers amid deadly border violence | News about politics
Violence between armed groups in the Catatumbo region has killed more than 32,000 people, rights groups estimate.
Colombia’s president has issued a decree giving himself emergency powers to restore order in a region bordering Venezuela that has been plagued by outbreaks of deadly violence between rival armed groups.
Gustavo Petro’s decree On Friday, it gives him up to 270 days to impose a police curfew, restrict traffic and take other steps that would normally violate Colombians’ civil rights or require congressional approval, the Associated Press reported.
It refers to the rural region of Catatumbo on Colombia’s northeastern border with Venezuela.
The area has seen an increase in violence since mid-January between rebels from the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident groups from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who are fighting for control of drug-trafficking routes.
At least 80 people were killed and More than 32,000 have been forced to flee their homes in recent weeks, according to rights groups. Residents said armed groups go door to door and launch indiscriminate attacks.
Last week, Peter’s government announced that it was Suspension of peace negotiations with the ELN due to the progress in the violence in Catatumbo.
A left-wing president, who took office in 2022pledged to bring “total peace” to the South American country after decades of conflict between the state, paramilitary and rebel groups.
Petro advocated negotiations with armed groups, and his strategy reduced violence. But rebel clashes and clashes with the Colombian military persisted.
The government has deployed thousands of troops to Catatumbo to try to stop the recent violence. On Wednesday, the office for Colombia’s attorney general has also issued arrest warrants for ELN leaders.
The statement said that “revocation of the benefits of suspended arrest warrants for 31 representatives [the ELN] … who have been recognized by the national government as spokespeople for the negotiations “.
The ELN denied attacking civilians and said its offensive was against a faction of former FARC rebels and demobilized rebels who support them.
The FARC used to be the country’s largest rebel group, but after a 2016 peace deal largely dismantled the organization, several groups disbanded. They, too, dealt with the recent peace talks with the Petro government.
Rights groups have urged the government to ensure this civilians in Catatumbo are protected.
“We call on the Colombian authorities to urgently take all necessary measures to protect civilians in the Catatumbo region, including human rights defenders,” ” said Amnesty International, warning of “growing threats of detention, further killings and enforced disappearances”.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres also expressed concern this week about the worsening situation.
Guterres called for “an immediate end to violence against the civilian population and for unhindered humanitarian access”, his spokesman said.
Many residents of Catatumbo fled to Venezuela or to the neighboring Colombian region of Norte de Santander.
Adib Fletcher, senior regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Aid Group Hope project, said displaced families – including mothers with young children – arrived in Norte de Santander in droves.
“Families have fled with only one or two bags and are uncertain when they can return to their homes,” Fletcher said. statement on Wednesday.
“As people seek shelter in overcrowded areas, we are concerned about disease outbreaks and increased strain on local health systems.”
Zilenia Pana (48) fled the fighting with her eight-year-old and 13-year-old children to the relative safety of Ocan, a small town in Norte de Santander.
Seeing “dead bodies was sad, painful. It breaks your soul, your heart,” Pana told the AFP news agency.
She said she only prays for the fighting to stop so she can return home to her children. “That’s all we want. That’s all we ask of these people,” she said.
