Colombia Begins 2022 with Alarming Violence
31 JAN 2022 | NEWS
by Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli
The security situation in Colombia deteriorated alarmingly in January 2022. As of January 31, the Institute for Development and Peace Studies (Instituto de estudios para el desarrollo y la paz, INDEPAZ) has recorded a total of 13 social leaders murdered, 13 massacres, 3 ex-combatants killed, 214 selective homicides, 98 death threats, 58 homicide attempts, 25 episodes of harassment, 17 forced disappearances, and 16 mass internal displacements. While violations are occurring in multiple areas, the departments of Arauca, Cauca, Valle del Cauca and Putumayo appear to be flashpoints. In the case of Arauca, the violence and displacement are due to the breaking of the truce that existed between the ELN and FARC. The FARC dissidents and ELN are engaged in armed combat with each other and as a result are taking it out on the civilian population, particularly social movements. WOLA, along with other international organizations working in and on Colombia, issued statements condemning the violence in Arauca and Cauca.
WOLA is also extremely concerned about the rise in internal displacement in Colombia. In early January, the United Nations Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released a report that found that 72,300 persons were internally displaced in 2021. This represents an increase of 62 percent of displacement events and 196 percent increase in the number of persons displaced compared to 2020.
We strongly urge U.S. policymakers, the diplomatic community, and civil society to raise visibility on the human rights and humanitarian situation in Colombia. Also, we urge them to take actions denouncing the violence, calling for it to cease and for all the actors concerned to support humanitarian minimums and peace efforts.
More:
https://www.wola.org/2022/01/colombia-begins-2022-with-alarming-violence/