A prominent human rights group said that rebel groups in Colombia committed “grave abuses” against civilians as they fight for control of the Catatumbo, a resource-rich region along Colombia’s border with Venezuela.
In a 12-page report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the rebels of executing unarmed farmers and forcibly recruiting dozens of children into their ranks. The group also called on Colombia’s government to speed up investigations into homicides in Catatumbo, where at least 78 people were killed in January and February, after a truce ended between rebel groups in the area.
“Our research points to widespread abuses against ordinary people,” said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director for HRW.
According to the Colombian Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office, more than 56,000 people have been displaced from their homes in the Catatumbo region since January 16, when the National Liberation Army, or ELN, launched a violent campaign to strengthen its grip on the area.
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