Colombians react to state of emergency declaration amid deadly clashes in Catatumbo: Video
The Colombian government declared a state of emergency and deployed thousands of soldiers to the Catatumbo region to curb escalating violence.
The move comes as special forces advanced into guerrilla-controlled territories near the Venezuelan border on Tuesday, January 21, aiming to re-establish state control.
The mountainous northeastern Catatumbo region has witnessed a surge in fighting between armed leftist groups competing for control over coca plantations and trafficking routes. Over the past six days, clashes have left more than 100 people dead across three regions, displacing approximately 20,000 residents.
Public reaction to the government's decision is divided. Armando Villegas, a 75-year-old economist, criticised the state of emergency: “The government did not need to reach this state of emergency because it had the tools to fight these events beforehand,” he told AFP.
Others view the decision as an opportunity for progress. “We have to take this as a starting point to begin to improve and look for mechanisms that allow for a ceasefire,” said 40-year-old Edna Malamo.
The Colombian authorities have indicated that the military deployment is part of a broader strategy to stabilise the region and protect civilians caught in the conflict.
