Sun Jan 19 18:03:52 UTC 2025: ## Colombia Peace Talks Collapse: Over 80 Killed in Renewed Violence

**Bogotá, Colombia –** At least 80 people have been killed and 20 injured in northeastern Colombia following the collapse of peace talks between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), according to officials. The violence erupted in the Catatumbo region, near the Venezuelan border, after the government suspended negotiations for the second time in less than a year.

The attacks, which targeted several towns, included the killing of community leader Carmelo Guerrero and seven individuals who were attempting to sign a peace agreement. Thousands of civilians are fleeing the area, seeking refuge in the mountains or government shelters. Governor William Villamizar of North Santander, the hardest-hit region, described a desperate exodus of families seeking safety.

The violence stems from clashes between the ELN and former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who are vying for control of coca leaf plantations in the strategic border region. The ELN claims it warned former FARC members to cease attacks on civilians, but that armed conflict was unavoidable given their continued aggression. The ELN also cited the January 15th killing of a family as provocation.

The Colombian government, meanwhile, has demanded that the ELN cease hostilities and allow humanitarian aid access. The army has reported rescuing some civilians held by the ELN, but dozens more remain missing. The government is preparing to deliver 10 tons of food and hygiene kits to approximately 5,000 displaced people. Defense Minister Iván Velásquez is traveling to the region to assess the situation.

The ELN’s demands for recognition as a political organization have been criticized as a risky proposition, contributing to the ongoing impasse. This is the fifth failed attempt to negotiate peace with the ELN under President Gustavo Petro’s administration, highlighting the persistent challenges to achieving lasting peace in the region.

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