U.N. Report: Terrorist violence caused forced displacements to soar in Colombia

A new U.N. report released on Wednesday shows that the forced displacement of communities soared in Colombia in 2021 amid increased attacks against civilians by paramilitary groups and surging levels of violence, especially along the Venezuelan border.

According to the data released by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA,) at least 73,974 individuals were forcibly displaced from their homes across Colombia last year – more than doubling 2020 figures.

The report also showed that attacks against civilians rose by 37% in 2021 – affecting more than 2,400 people.

“It should be noted that actions by non-state armed groups against the civilian population are the main causes of forced displacement in Colombia,” the report said.

“The main needs of the displaced population are based on lack of protection and access to temporary shelter, food, health services, education and access to safe water.”

OCHA further stated that clashes between rival armed groups also drove displacements – as well as threats made via phone, pamphlets and other means.  

To date, more than 53,000 Colombians remain displaced, while at least 65,600 individuals were forced to shelter in place due to violence in their immediate vicinity. Furthermore, at least 85,700 individuals saw their movement restricted, the report further explained.

Violence has increased across Colombia as the country struggles to implement the infamous 2016 peace agreement between the government and the FARC terrorist group.

Since the 2016 peace agreement was signed, about 13,000 rebels have allegedly been disarmed, but at least 5,000 members have rejected the deal and continue to fight – with violence increasing in recent months along the border with Venezuela.

According to the Indepaz research institute, approximately 90 armed groups with some 10,000 members remain active in Colombia, the world’s largest cocaine producing country.

A 2018 report released by Colombia's National Centre for Historical Memory showed that more than 260,000 people — mostly civilians — died from violence during six decades of guerrilla conflict in Colombia. The report also found that most of the 80,000 people who disappeared were never found. More than 37,000 of those killed were victims of kidnappings, and nearly 15,700 were victims of sexual violence.