Colombia: Over 80 Killed, 20 Injured After Peace Talks Collapse Between Government and ELN

The violence has forced thousands to flee their homes, seeking refuge in nearby mountains or government shelters.

COLOMBIA - In northeast Colombia, over 80 people have been killed and 20 others injured following the collapse of peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN), according to Colombian officials. The violence has forced thousands to flee their homes, seeking refuge in nearby mountains or government shelters.

National Liberation Army (ELN) members speak in a recently released video

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Among the victims was Carmelo Guerrero, a community leader who had been working towards a peace deal, as well as other participants involved in the peace talks.

The attacks occurred in several cities within the Catatumbo region, and North Santander near Colombia's border with Venezuela. At least three individuals involved in the peace talks were taken captive.

Governor of North Santander William Villamizar said, "Catatumbo needs help. Boys, girls, young people, teenagers, entire families are showing up with nothing, riding trucks, dump trucks, motorcycles, whatever they can, on foot, to avoid being victims of this confrontation."

Map: North Santander. Photo credit: TUBS, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Attacks Follow Collapse of Peace Talks Between Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN)