Colombia’s Petro overrides emergency powers amid deadly border violence Politics News

Violence between armed groups in the Catatumbo region has displaced more than 32,000 people, rights groups estimate.

Colombia’s president has issued a decree giving himself emergency powers to restore order in the region bordering Venezuela, which has been racked by an outbreak of deadly violence between rival armed groups.

Gustavo Petro’s decree on Friday gives up to 270 days to impose curfews, restrict traffic and take other steps that typically violate Colombian civil rights or require congressional approval, the Associated Press reported. Is, the Associated Press reported.

It applies to the rural Catatumbo region on Colombia’s northeastern border with Venezuela.

The region has seen an increase in violence since mid-January between National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels and dissident groups affiliated with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which have been linked to drug-trafficking routes. Struggling for control.

More than 32,000 people have been killed in recent weeks, according to rights groups, and another 32,000 have been forced to flee their homes. Residents have said that armed groups are going door-to-door and launching indiscriminate attacks.

Last week, Petro’s government announced it was suspending peace talks with the ELN due to an increase in violence in Catatumbo.

The leftist president, who takes office in 2022, has promised to bring “total peace” to the South American country after a decades-long conflict between the state, paramilitaries and rebel groups.

Petro has pushed for negotiations with armed groups, and his tactics have reduced violence. But rebels and clashes with the Colombian military have persisted.

The government has recently deployed thousands of soldiers to Catatumbo to try to curb the violence. on wednesday, office Colombia’s Attorney General also reissued arrest warrants for ELN leaders.

It said in a statement that it was “revoking the benefits of suspended arrest warrants for 31 representatives of the (ELN) … who were recognized by the national government as spokespersons in the negotiations”.

The ELN has denied attacking civilians and said its offensive is against a faction of former FARC rebels and rebel rebels supporting them.

The FARC used to be the country’s largest rebel group, but after a 2016 peace deal largely dismantled the organization, many groups splintered. They have also been engaged in recent peace talks with the Petro government.

Rights groups have urged the government to ensure that civilians in Catatumbo are protected.

“We call on the Colombian authorities to immediately take all necessary measures to protect civilians in the Catatumbo region, including human rights defenders,” Amnesty International said, “despite the escalating threats of imprisonment, further killings and enforced disappearances.” Warning of happening”.

UN chief Antonio Guterres also expressed concern over the worsening situation this week.

His spokesman said Guterres called for “an immediate end to acts of violence against the civilian population and humanitarian access.

Many Catatumbo residents have fled to Venezuela or the neighboring Colombian region of Norte de Sanchez.

Adi Fletcher, senior regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean at aid group Project Hope, said displaced families – including mothers with young children – are arriving in Norte de Sanchez in droves.

“Families have fled with just a bag or two, and they have no certainty as to when they can return to their homes,” Fletcher said in a statement Wednesday.

“As people seek shelter in crowded areas, we are concerned about disease outbreaks and increased strain on local health systems.”

Zeleniya Pana, 48, fled the fighting with her eight- and 13-year-old children for the relative safety of Osana, a small town in Norte de Santendra.

“The dead body was sad, painful. It breaks your soul, your heart,” Pana told the AFP news agency.

She said she only prayed that the fighting would stop so she could return home to her children. “We all want that. We ask those people,” she said.