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.

Colombia’s government is reactivating arrest orders for the top leadership of the nation’s largest rebel group.

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 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.

By means of Resolution No. 81005 of 2024, the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio or SIC) of

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.

The Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio or SIC) of Colombia has reiterated the provisions of

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

More than 8,000 civilians fled the violence, with many seeking shelter in government facilities or hiding in the mountains.