Over 1,800 displaced people have arrived in the north Colombian town of Anori following alleged threats by the FARC’s 36th Front.
Farmers from the rural areas outside Anori started arriving in the town earlier this week with a letter from local FARC commanders demanding authorities stop the fumigation of coca fields, cancel a suspended hydro-electric project in the region, and abandon plans to build four military bases.
Antioquia governor Luis Alfredo Ramos told Caracol Radio that the number of refugees in the village has grown to 1,800 and said the forced displacement is a response of the local FARC commanders to pressure by the army.
This claim is supported by representatives of the displaced who told Caracol Radio that guerrillas arrived at farms in at least six communities where they threatened locals and forced them to leave their homes.
According to RCN Radio, four Canadian businessmen were also forced to leave the area after their car and army escort were attacked by guerrillas.
The local government imposed an emergency curfew to avoid public disorder, but according to the town’s government secretary no irregularities have taken place so far. The local hospital raised its alert level to yellow in case of public health issues.
According to the governor of Antioquia, a special commission was sent to the town to coordinate aid for the displaced.