- Venezuela: Colombia gives nationality to 24,000 Venezuelan children
- Venezuela: Armed, dressed in black and with balaclava: this is how Maduro's "death squads" operate
It is a region without law, in the hands of guerrillas who fight to the death the control of the territory, bordering with Venezuela . But more than the combatants, it is the civilians who suffer the ravages of war between former allies.
The ELN (National Liberation Army) and the EPL (Popular Liberation Army) since 2018, and now also the dissidence of the FARC Front 33, have turned the 11 municipalities of Catatumbo, department of Norte de Santander, into its theater of operations.
To confront them, the State has squalid institutions , unable to fulfill their constitutional missions. And while the Military Forces are increasing their strength by 5,600 new troops, they are not the solution to overcome the deep crisis in the area , aggravated by the massive arrival of Venezuelan emigrants, also victims of crossfire. Without leaving aside that it occupies the second place in coca planting of Colombia , with 28,000 hectares, according to the UN, in addition to being an important source of oil production.
These are some conclusions that can be drawn from the report that Human Rights Watch presented yesterday in Bogotá about one of the most conflictive areas of Colombia, where 300,000 inhabitants live, in addition to some 25,000 Venezuelans . Although it provides a list of recommendations to the government, feasible some and little landed, others, draws a horizon filled with clouds.
"The armed groups have committed numerous abuses against civilians, including murders, disappearances, sexual violence, child recruitment and forced displacement. They have also planted antipersonnel mines and attempted to control the population through threats , including against community leaders and human rights defenders. "says the study entitled" The Catatumbo War. Abuses of armed groups against Colombian and Venezuelan civilians in northwestern Colombia. "
Although not all crimes are directly related to the conflict between the guerrillas, the annual homicide rate is "almost 79 per one hundred thousand inhabitants, approximately three times the national one." Last year 231 individuals were murdered and "preliminary data indicates that from January to June 2019 there are 114," the document states. Among those killed, fourteen human rights defenders and social leaders have been noted since 2017. Rejecting coca crops or manifesting anything against armed groups often involves receiving threats, undertaking the exodus or being shot dead . "Catatumbo is one of the most dangerous regions in Colombia for those who dare to raise their voices on behalf of their communities," says the report.
To the previous figures we should add the 189 processes on "forced disappearances" since 2017 that prosecutors have been carrying. Having them in their offices does not mean they solve them. Lack of justice is another evil that addresses HRW.
The case of Henry Pérez, who cites the report and this newspaper has known since it disappeared in January 2016, is one of many where the families themselves are the ones that carry the bulk of the inquiries. The authorities, aware of their limitations on the ground, usually send the file to a drawer.
"A key shortcoming is the small number of officials in Catatumbo responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes. In addition, the risks make it impossible for prosecutors and investigators to visit rural areas and obtain statements from witnesses and relatives of victims, who also fear reprisals for collaborating. "he points out.
Hence, HRW proposes, among other recommendations, that the Prosecutor's Office have more helicopter flight hours to move their equipment and avoid dangers. But then they would clash with the law of silence imposed by terrorist bands. Nor is there sufficient means for so many errands in a jungle, mountainous territory, with a porous, and extensive border. The commission that suffered an attack with explosives last May, in Tibú (see photo), was escorted by military and police and went to a simple inspection for a private dispute of a farm.
The report mentions the recruitment of children, even from the age of 12. " Sometimes, children are forced to join an armed group after members of the group threaten to kill them or their families. On other occasions, they do so for promises of money."
They also enlist Venezuelans, although there are many more who settle in the Catatumbo to work in the coconut trees. As it is a department where illegal steps abound between the two nations, the flow of migrants increases every day. "Several Venezuelans have been victims of forced displacement, homicide and child recruitment committed by armed groups. Some Venezuelans have disappeared and some women and girls have been victims of sexual violence," the document says, adding that there are children who are violated by 5,000 pesos (1.5 euro).
Hence, it is not surprising that for José Miguel Vivanco, Director of the HRW Americas Division, migrants are " trapped at a crossroads between the war in Colombia and the desperation to leave their country."
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