Colombia - Clashes Between Liberation Army And FARC Has Left Dozens Dead

[GoryMan]

For four days, clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas and a dissident group of the now defunct FARC have unleashed fear and forced displacement in the Catatumbo region in northeastern Colombia, right on the border with Venezuela. At least 80 people have died in the first three days, while the displaced number more than 11,000, according to authorities.

"We have a very sad result: more than 80 people killed, more than 20 injured," said William Villamizar, governor of the department of Norte de Santander, where the Catatumbo region is located, in a video.

For her part, Iris Marín, head of the Ombudsman's Office, said that "we are facing one of the largest and most serious humanitarian crises that Catatumbo has faced, if this is not the largest (...). In just four days, at least 11,000 displaced people have been reported and there could be many more," she warned. She added that "there are indiscriminate attacks on combatants and civilians who are accused of collaborating with one group or another," she added.

More than 800 of those thousands of displaced Colombians crossed into Venezuela, the Ministry of the Interior of that country reported. "A total of 812 displaced people have been assisted at the four humanitarian assistance points, installed by the Bolivarian Government in the municipality of Jesús María Semprún, Zulia state, from Thursday until this Sunday," the State portfolio indicated in a publication on Instagram. "Among those assisted are 352 men, 258 women and 202 children," the Venezuelan authorities completed.

Terrified by the violence, hundreds of Colombians and Venezuelans, carrying only their backpacks and babies in their arms, have fled in improvised barges to Venezuela, where the government has activated a "special operation" to assist displaced people in two border municipalities.

Venezuelan Anyeeris Manzano, 20, crossed the Tarra River on Sunday to return to her homeland, which she fled six years ago due to the economic situation. "I'm afraid that there will be a confrontation and that one would be there too, one's children," she told the AFP news agency. "It's sad to have to flee because of wars," she added.

Geovanny Valero, a 45-year-old Colombian farmer, hopes that the situation in Catatumbo will improve before he can return. "As a Colombian, it hurts to leave your country," he said.

Jenny Díaz, a 36-year-old Colombian teacher from Tibú, fled to Venezuela with her two children, a sister and three nephews. With her hand on her chest, she explains that she escaped "because of all the fear that is felt, the anxiety caused by the war between armed groups."

[Necrotic Bowel]

At exactly 53 seconds into the first video you will notice a dude laying down on his side in the middle of the dead. He’s alive as you can see him move his head slightly.

There’s always somebody who has to act like a fool, isn’t there?

[Mr.NoCredit]

Bullets-B-Flying.. lots.

[stanmarsh]

Originally Posted by GoryMan

a dissident group of the now defunct FARC

Based on the most recent FARC videos that have been posted here, I assuming everyone in that group managed to blow themselves up.

[pokerplay]

Holy farc that’s a lot of bodies

[mramerikan]

Originally Posted by Necrotic Bowel

At exactly 53 seconds into the first video you will notice a dude laying down on his side in the middle of the dead. He’s alive as you can see him move his head slightly.

There’s always somebody who has to act like a fool, isn’t there?

I saw that too. Surprised the guy filming didn't see it. I wonder how long until he tries to escape.

[yah]

Originally Posted by Necrotic Bowel

At exactly 53 seconds into the first video you will notice a dude laying down on his side in the middle of the dead. He’s alive as you can see him move his head slightly.

There’s always somebody who has to act like a fool, isn’t there?

P.S. How do you embed a YouTube video? I used the URL but a preview wouldn't come up.

[yah]

P.S. How do you embed a YouTube video? I used the URL but a preview wouldn't come up.[/QUOTE]

Never mind

[stanmarsh]

He's not really trying to play dead and he doesn't seem to be afraid. I think he's just used to being around dead bodies

[William May]

Originally Posted by stanmarsh

He's not really trying to play dead and he doesn't seem to be afraid. I think he's just used to being around dead bodies

Perhaps it was Michael Palin HIMSELF!!!! I understand that all those guys are pretty wacky, even when on vacation!