In November 2016, historic peace accords were signed between the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) and the government. But several factions (called "dissidents") broke off from the FARC and refused to lay down their weapons. One of those dissident groups, the 33rd Front, is operating in the transborder Catatumbo region of northeast Colombia, whose inhabitants are mainly campesino organizations and the Bari Indigenous people. Social leaders face extreme danger as they attempt to work in this region characterized by poverty, militarized violence, and conflicting factions.
The 33rd Front is raising claims that the humanitarian organization Catatumbo Social Integration Committee (CISCA) is working with other armed factions in the conflict. This puts members of CISCA under increased threats of violence. CISCA states that not only are the claims baseless and unjust, but they put CISCA’s members in an extremely vulnerable position.
We urge that the government implement structural solutions based on a stronger presence of civilian State institutions, such as the Social Pact for the Territorial Transformation of Catatumbo, that should include authorities of the Bari Indigenous people and leaders of local civil society organizations.