A surge in guerrilla violence in northeastern Colombia that left over 100 people dead and displaced nearly 20,000 others has forced authorities to announce a state of emergency.
President Gustavo Petro on Monday declared a "state of internal commotion" and a "state of economic emergency" following the unrest.
This measure allows the executive branch to pass certain kinds of legislation without congressional approval for three months.
Rival factions fuel violence
The conflict in the northeastern Catatumbo region and the southeastern Guaviare jungle stemmed from battles over control of strategic drug trafficking routes between the left-wing rebel National Liberation Army (ELN) and factions from what was once the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
In Catatumbo, ELN forces have attacked civilians and rival groups, killing at least 100 people and forcing thousands to flee to nearby towns or neighboring Venezuela.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Colombia, the violence in Catatumbo has displaced 18,300 people.
Meanwhile, clashes between rival FARC factions in Guaviare have resulted in at least 20 deaths.
The rival factions split last year due to internal differences. Currently, one of the factions is engaging in peace talks with the government while the other continuing armed resistance after a failed ceasefire.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
