San Francisco Frontiers - Warring guerrillas bring misery to Colombian region

Since the start of the year, the National Liberation Army (EL), Colombia's last recognized guerrilla group, and dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels that laid down arms and signed a 2016 peace deal with the government, have waged a merciless battle in Arauca.

"What is in play is territorial control of the department and multiple trafficking with neighboring Venezuela," on the other side of the Arauca river, a political scientist based in the region who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP.

Almost 50 people have been killed in the violence in less than four weeks.

Murders, kidnappings and threats have become a daily occurrence.

A shocking car bombing outside a building housing social organizations on January 19 marked an escalation of violence. FARC dissidents were blamed for the attack.

Simeon Delgado, a 45-year-old security guard and father of three, was killed in the explosion.

"This damn war took him from us. A war we didn't ask to be a part of, we have nothing to do with this conflict," said his sister Alba.

- Devoured by corruption -

At least a dozen deaths were registered in the last week of January.

The modus operandi is almost always the same: gun-totting hitmen on motorbikes who disappear as quickly as they appeared.

"Every day they kill. Often we don't even know why. How could you not be afraid?" said Andres Prada, an indigenous leader.

The conflict revolves around a "triangle of death" area alongside the Arauca river.

The Arauca region is as large as Belgium but sparsely populated. Its economy is driven by the Cano Limon oil field that is heavily guarded by soldiers, as well as agriculture and contraband.

Arauca is "devoured by corruption, and a border region that is a goldmine for guerrillas," said one source, also under the condition of anonymity.

"Everything is transported by the river: people, merchandise and, of course, drugs."

If it was not for some menacing graffiti on walls and nervous-looking soldiers, there would be an air of normality in Arauca.

"No-one is fooled, everyone is spying on everyone else," said a former soldier, now working as a driver.

Bikers don't use helmets "the guerrillas don't allow it" so they can keep an eye on who is moving about.

While some people speak to reporters, no one wants to give their names out of fear.

"If you give my name, tomorrow I will be a corpse," said the family member of one victim.

- Curfew -

On the shores of the river, where Venezuelans with their arms full of goods arrive, the sight of an unknown face causes immediate suspicion.

People surreptitiously take the person's photo with their mobile phones.

Local authorities have imposed a nighttime curfew and FARC dissidents have also banned anyone from moving around after 7:00 pm.

That FARC influence is new, though.

Arauca is a traditional ELN fiefdom where the rebels impose their rules and "revolutionary" tax.

"Nothing happens without the consent of the ELN, which benefits from considerable income from organized extorsion and the oil wells," said the political scientist.

"Everyone pays, in one way or another. The ELN is invisible, but their men are everywhere."

Colombia's right-wing government accuses its populist socialist counterparts in Venezuela of supporting and providing refuge for far left guerrillas.

"The violence began last year in Venezuelan territory when the 10th Front FARC dissidents began to fight the ELN for its bases and income, and then fought directly with Venezuelan security forces," said Camilo Gonzalez, director of the Indepaz think tank.

- Who is defending the people? -

The ELN and FARC had a brief armistice from 2011 but that ended with the 2016 peace deal.

FARC dissidents have gained a lot of ground in the last two years.

"FARC dissidents have been very active in recent months trying to take control of the drug trafficking routes to Venezuela and Brazil," said a security expert in Bogota.

The government has sent more troops but they are barely visible away from oil infrastructure.

Both rebel groups present themselves as "defenders of the people" and accuse their rivals of complicity with the state.

"Each group is attacking populations that allegedly sympathise with or support the other group," said Gonzalez.

"There were a lot of murders in 2021," said one religious leader. "But the dynamic has suddenly accelerated. This is just the beginning."

P.Thomas--SFF