On January 26, 2025, the Catatumbo region of Colombia witnessed severe violence as the National Liberation Army (ELN) clashed with dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), marking a significant escalation in hostilities.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro proposed a joint effort with Venezuela to confront the ELN, following a massacre that resulted in over 80 fatalities and displaced approximately 38,000 people. This violence has raised alarms regarding the humanitarian crisis in the area.
In a statement, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino expressed his country’s willingness to enhance communication and cooperation with Colombia to address the situation. He denied allegations that Venezuela serves as a haven for armed groups, which Colombian intelligence agencies have long suspected.
The Colombian military has initiated offensive operations to regain control of the Catatumbo region, where the ELN has been actively targeting civilians and former FARC members. Recent reports indicate that the ELN attempted to detonate explosives against a military vehicle in the vicinity of Cúcuta, although no casualties were reported.
The situation has strained Colombia-Venezuela relations, especially following Venezuela's controversial 2024 presidential election. President Petro has referred to Nicolás Maduro as “the person exercising the presidency” of Venezuela, indicating a significant diplomatic rift.
In a recent press briefing, Colombian Army Commander General Luis Cardozo reported that 104 FARC dissidents have surrendered to the military amid the ELN's offensive, with a substantial cache of weapons and explosives confiscated. The ELN aims to eliminate the FARC dissidents, who have shifted from allies to adversaries.
The escalating violence in Catatumbo underscores the ongoing challenges Colombia faces in addressing armed conflict and humanitarian crises exacerbated by cross-border dynamics with Venezuela.