Clashes in Palmor, Colombia Displace Residents Amid Territorial Dispute

Violent clashes between illegal armed groups in the rural area of Ciénaga, Magdalena, Colombia have forced local residents to flee their homes, putting them at risk of massive displacement. The ongoing confrontations between the Clan del Golfo and Los Pachencas have been raging for seven days in the region, despite a recent Security Council meeting led by Minister of Defense Iván Velásquez.

Why this matters: The escalating violence in Palmor, Colombia, highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain control and stability in regions plagued by illegal armed groups, with far-reaching consequences for local communities and the broader region. If left unchecked, this conflict could lead to a humanitarian crisis, straining resources and putting additional pressure on already vulnerable populations.

The violence is centered on the road connecting Palmor with Uranio in the upper part of the municipality of Ciénaga. Farmers have been compelled to seek refuge in other areas to avoid being caught in the crossfire between the warring factions. "We request to open an urgent humanitarian corridor on the Palmor-Uranio highway. The combat is approaching and civilians are fleeing with what they are wearing, showing faces of uncertainty," appealed the Platform of Human Rights Defenders of the Sierra Nevada (PDHAL).

The clashes are part of a larger territorial dispute between the ACSN and the AGC, two illegal armed groups operating in the region. Rosita Jiménez, President of the Magdalena Assembly, denounced the escalating violence, stating, "The dispute over the territory near Palmor between the ACSN and the AGC is becoming more and more crude, the peasant population, the farmers, the community are at very high risk by being in the middle of this war, the confrontation between these GAO brings... As a consequence, a new episode of forced displacement, where are the institutions?"

The department of Magdalena has a long history of violence perpetrated byillegal armed groups. The recent Security Council meeting addressed issues such as the expansion of public forces and the concerning growth of these groups in the area. However, the discussions have failed to prevent the current wave of forced displacements affecting communities in the rural areas of Ciénaga.

The PDHAL and the Magdalena Assembly are urging the national government and local authorities to take immediate action by opening a humanitarian corridor to assist the displaced victims. They are calling for the government to address the situation and prevent further forced displacement of peasants caught in the middle of the territorial conflict between the illegal armed groups.

Key Takeaways

• Violent clashes between Clan del Golfo and Los Pachencas in Ciénaga, Colombia force locals to flee.
• 7-day conflict puts local communities at risk of massive displacement and humanitarian crisis.
• Farmers seek refuge to avoid crossfire, with civilians fleeing with minimal belongings.
• Territorial dispute between ACSN and AGC illegal armed groups sparks violence.
• Authorities urged to open humanitarian corridor to assist displaced victims.