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Colombia declares war on guerrillas amid surge in violence and deaths
Colombia has declared a state of emergency and deployed thousands of soldiers in response to escalating violence linked to left-wing guerrillas. In just five days, more than 100 deaths have been reported across multiple regions, and nearly 20,000 people have been displaced, largely due to confrontations between rival militias. The violence, analysts suggest, is fueled by a territorial struggle among armed groups seeking to protect their control over cocaine trafficking and resist the peace process.
President Gustavo Petro, who has previously championed de-escalation and dialogue, announced a shift in strategy. He warned the National Liberation Army (ELN), which is suspected of initiating attacks in border regions, that "war" would be met with "war." The government's response included a localized state of emergency, granting authorities greater control over public movement.
The Colombian military, with an initial deployment of 5,000 troops, is being sent to hotspots, but clashes with guerrillas have not yet been fully confronted. While the country has experienced nearly a decade of relative peace, multiple guerrilla factions, paramilitaries, and drug cartels still hold significant sway over rural areas.
Over the weekend, residents fled violence-stricken zones, with many seeking refuge in shelters or crossing into Venezuela. Some had previously fled political and economic turmoil in the neighboring country. The ongoing violence poses a serious challenge to Petro's "total peace" policy, as dissident factions of former guerrilla groups, such as the FARC splinter cells, continue to resist peace agreements. Despite the 2016 peace deal with FARC, the country’s battle against armed groups and the drug trade is far from over.
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