Colombia declares war on guerrillas as violence escalates

• Colombia has declared a state of emergency
• 5,00 troops deployed to combat left-wing guerrillas
• Violence killed at least 100 in five days
• Nearly 200,000 displaced

Colombia declares war on guerrillas as violence escalates

Colombia has declared a state of emergency and deployed 5,000 troops to combat left-wing guerrillas after violence claimed over 100 lives in just five days. The conflict spans three departments, from the southern Amazon to the Venezuelan border, where nearly 20,000 people have been displaced.

President Gustavo Petro, previously focused on dialogue and de-escalation, has shifted to a more aggressive stance. He directly warned leaders of the National Liberation Army (ELN), accused of orchestrating attacks that killed 80 rival militia members.

The surge in violence stems from a turf war between militias over control of lucrative cocaine trade routes, threatening Colombia’s fragile peace process. Troops are stationed in key areas, but have yet to engage directly in the most affected zones.

Local authorities now have powers to restrict movement, aiming to curb the violence and restore order.