El Catatumbo, in Norte de Santander, was once again the scene of a violent armed confrontation that underlines the persistence of the conflict in the territory. New clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the dissidents of the 33rd Front of the extinct FARC were recorded in the district of Filogringo, rural area of ​​El Tarra, leaving a preliminary balance of at least seven people dead and several injured, as confirmed by local authorities.

The event revives alarm in Catatumbo a few weeks after one year since the ELN and the 33rd Front began a direct offensive for absolute territorial control, a conflict that has left a devastating mark on the civilian population.

In the midst of the recent clashes, an unofficially verified version circulates among the community: the alleged death of alias “Cuyo”, identified as one of the ELN’s main commanders in that area.

Also read: Is the left united?

Although official information has not yet confirmed the death of the alleged leader, the news has generated fear of possible retaliation and a resurgence of armed incursions by the groups in dispute.

The crisis in the region has been active for 11 months, and despite the commitments of the National Government to restore order and security, the situation on the ground has worsened.

Displacement figures break records
The seriousness of the situation was recently exposed before the Constitutional Court. Figures presented by the Victims Unit show the deterioration of the humanitarian panorama: so far in 2025, the number of mass displacements has far exceeded all historical records.

More than 70,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in the first months of the year alone, a figure that far exceeds critical precedents such as that of 2018, when only 13 events of mass displacement were documented.

More news from Colombia