In January 2025, Colombia's Catatumbo region became a battleground as rival armed groups clashed over territory, leaving at least 80 dead and displacing over 50,000 residents. Over a month later, authorities are still struggling to restore stability in the strategic area near the Venezuelan border.
The violence—fueled by competition for smuggling routes and natural resources—has created a humanitarian emergency. Families fleeing the chaos have packed temporary shelters, while local leaders plead for international aid. 💔 "We cannot sleep, eat, or work in peace," one displaced resident told reporters.
Colombia’s government has deployed troops to dismantle armed groups, but analysts say decades of unresolved land disputes and poverty complicate efforts. The Catatumbo region, rich in coca crops and oil reserves, remains a hotspot for illegal activity.
As mediation talks stall, young activists are using social media to document the crisis and demand action. Meanwhile, aid organizations warn of worsening conditions for displaced families. 📱✨
