In Colombia, 80 people have died amid escalating clashes between rival groups.

The current escalation is already being referred to as the bloodiest in the 15-year history of the conflict. Nearly eight thousand people have fled to nearby cities, where authorities are struggling to accommodate them in shelters and hotels. Some had to be evacuated by helicopters. An unknown number have retreated into the jungles, crossed into neighboring Venezuela, or are hiding in their homes without food and water. There are also reports of several kidnappings.

Clashes between the "National Liberation Army" (ANO) and former members of the "Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia" (FARC) resumed last week. Initially, local residents thought it was just another skirmish between factions and took refuge in their homes. However, the situation quickly deteriorated.

Armed members of the ANO began entering homes and killing those who had participated in peace negotiations between the FARC and Colombian authorities in 2016. Among the dead are at least seven signatories of the peace agreement, and three others have been kidnapped.

"Please, they are going to kill us, they are already close to our home, they are going from house to house, they are taking us out, they are checking lists, this is an organized massacre," said peace advisor Luis Fernando Niño, sharing a voice message from the area with journalists. He has received several similar messages in recent days.

The ANO claims that those killed are former FARC members who have "returned to arms," not civilians. On Friday, January 17, Colombian President Gustavo Petro suspended peace talks with the ANO in response to the outbreak of violence (this has happened multiple times since 2022). Authorities believe the incidents are an attempt by the group to strengthen its control over Catatumbo, where 52 thousand hectares of coca are located. Military forces have been deployed to the region.

The active struggle between factions for cocaine plantations has lasted for over half a century—until the peace agreement with the FARC—and has claimed more than 250,000 lives. For ending this war, former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos received the Nobel Peace Prize.