The mountains of Catatumbo in eastern Colombia are so dangerous that the police and army generally don’t stray far from their barracks for fear of snipers.

We are following with concern acts of violence that started in Colombia's Catatumbo region, and spread to various parts of country,' says Foreign Ministry - Anadolu Ajansı

Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a state of emergency after violent attacks between two armed groups killed several people and forced others to evacuate. NBC News' David Noriega has more on the deadly attacks.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro says he will declare an emergency over the guerrilla attacks in the northeast that have killed dozens of people and forced thousands to flee.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro looks on as he is welcomed with military honors by Leslie Voltaire, president of Haiti's Transition Council, upon his arrival for an official visit where they will have a binational council of ministers, in Jacmel, Haiti January 22, 2025. REUTERS/Marckinson Pierre

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's attorney general's office on Wednesday reissued arrest warrants for leaders of the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels, who had been participating in peace talks, as forced displacement caused by ELN attacks rose to 32,000 people.

The clashes between rival guerrilla groups have left 80 dead as Colombia braces for cutbacks in U.S. foreign aid under President Trump.

More than 32,000 people have fled the northern Colombian region of Catatumbo where two rival rebel groups are engaged in a bloody battle. At least 80 people have been killed over recent days amid the surge in fighting between rebels from the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).

Francisco de Miranda, considered to be the precursor of Venezuela’s independence, stitched the country’s first flag in Jacmel and set sail from the port city. A decade later, South American liberator Simón Bolívar launched his successful movement from Jacmel’s shores.

Colombia's president decrees emergency powers to restore order in coca region wracked by rebel combat.

The children of northeastern Colombia have a message for guerrillas blamed for the country's worst violence in over a decade -- as well as for rival militants tempted to take revenge. While the FARC dissidents have been mostly on the receiving end of the recent violence,