Colombia’s war crimes tribunal hears notorious former war...
Colombia’s GDP and GNI
Panama arrests US citizen suspected in Colombia of...
Colombia seeking mastermind behind Paraguay prosecutor kill plot
Colombia’s government and ELN rebels overcome “crisis” in...
Bogota
Crime and security in Bogota
Colombia recalls ambassador from Guatemala over corruption probe...
Colombia’s FARC dissidents captured 5 soldiers during ceasefire:...
Colombia spied on diplomats from Russia and Cuba:...
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
Anti-war protest in Fortul (Image: Arauca Online)
News

Anti-war protests erupt in northeast Colombia

by Adriaan Alsema January 5, 2022

Communities from the Arauca province joined anti-war protests amid guerrilla violence that has been terrorizing northeastern Colombia.

The community leaders who organized the protest additionally sought the attention from the government and international human rights organizations.

The protests followed the killing of at least 23 people amid an armed conflict between ELN guerrillas and dissident former members of the now-defunct guerrilla group FARC.

Some 1,200 people took to the streets in Puerto Jordan on Tuesday, according to the Ombudsman’s Office.

Another 500 people took part in protests in the hamlet of Botalon for the second day in a row.

#ATENCIÓN Los habitantes de Botalon, se desplaza a las calles solicitando que paren el conflicto armado.

Niños piden paz para su territorio.#botalon #arauca #tame #saravena #arauquita #fortul #puertorondón #cravonorte pic.twitter.com/hkWVRk9Rq4

— Arauca online (@Arauca_Online) January 3, 2022

Arauca se moviliza por la paz, Puerto Jordán, centro poblado de Arauquita. pic.twitter.com/n4NETu7Kwg

— Luis Eduardo Celis (@luchoceliscnai) January 4, 2022

“More regions are leaving fear behind and taking to the streets to ask for peace,” Mayerly Briceño, a community leader who organized the protests in Botalon, told newspaper El Espectador.

Protests also erupted in the town of Fortul, local news site Arauca Online reported.

Guerrilla violence continues

Alleged guerrilla violence continued despite the protests and calls on the ELN and FARC dissidents to negotiate an end to their armed conflict.

Local news site Arauca Hoy reported on Tuesday that the bodies of another two people had been found in Saravena, a municipality on the border with Venezuela.

The human rights chief of the Tame municipality said that some 50 people have gone missing since the violence broke out on Sunday.

Bodies were also found in Arauquita and Fortul, authorities confirmed on Monday.

Locals dismiss government response

Locals and church leaders dismissed the national government’s response to the deadly violence.

Defense Minister Diego Molano announced on Monday that the National Army would send another 600 troops to Arauca to strengthen the military presence in the region.

Briceño stressed the need for civilian authorities in the oil-rich but long-neglected province.

The state has absolutely no presence here. They come here to take care of the oil companies, to protect the oil and how it comes out, this is not about militarization. What we need is real state presence.

Social leader Mayerly Briceño

The social leader applauded the arrival of human rights officials who monitored the protests in Botalon and Puerto Jordan.

A human rights defender from Saravena, Sonia Lopez, applauded local authorities’ attempts to prepare shelters for families fleeing the rural parts of the municipality.

Peace activists urged the government of far-right President Ivan Duque to resume peace talks with the ELN, which effectively controls Arauca.

The fundamental solution is a peace process with the ELN that passes through Arauca, where its most important structure is located. They are not opposed to the peace process, the thing is that no government has been able to lead this process.

Armed conflict analyst Luis Eduardo Celis

Neitehr Duque nor his defense chief have given any indication they would be interested in a peace process with the ELN.

Araucaarmed conflictELNFARC dissidentspublic security

Trending

  • Colombia’s government and ELN rebels overcome “crisis” in peace talks

  • Colombia seeking mastermind behind Paraguay prosecutor kill plot

For patrons

Downloads for patrons

Related articles

  • Colombia’s government and ELN rebels overcome “crisis” in peace talks

  • Crime and security in Bogota

  • Colombia’s FARC dissidents captured 5 soldiers during ceasefire: military

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Rss

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion