Colombia's President issued a decree on Friday granting him emergency powers to restore order in a coca-growing region bordering Venezuela. The region has been plagued by a deadly turf war among dissident rebel groups in recent days.
The decree, issued by President Gustavo Petro, allows him to impose curfews, restrict traffic, and take other necessary steps to address the conflict. This measure, which can be extended, gives him 90 days to implement actions that would typically require congressional approval or infringe on civil rights.
This is the first time in over a decade that a Colombian president has resorted to such extreme measures, highlighting the severity of the ongoing conflict in a country historically marked by political violence.
The emergency powers apply specifically to the rural Catatumbo region near the Venezuelan border, where the Colombian state has long struggled to establish control. The area has witnessed escalating violence between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and remnants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), resulting in at least 80 deaths and displacing an estimated 36,000 individuals in the past week.
While President Petro's conservative critics have condemned the decree as a violation of the constitution, some activists view it as a potential opportunity for improved infrastructure, healthcare, and education in the historically lawless region.
Residents in the town of Tibu expressed frustration over the lack of government investment, which they believe has contributed to the presence of armed groups in the area.
President Petro recently reactivated arrest orders against 31 top ELN commanders and suspended all peace talks with the group, signaling a shift in his approach to the conflict. The ELN, traditionally dominant in Catatumbo, is facing challenges from FARC holdouts, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
The conflict has spilled over into Venezuela, where some displaced individuals have sought refuge. The current whereabouts of ELN peace negotiators are unknown, with speculation arising that they may be hiding in Venezuela, a key sponsor of Petro's peace initiative with the ELN.