Armed conflict has intensified in Colombia affecting the Coastal Pacific region, northern border departments of Norte de Santander and Arauca, as well as the departments of Valle del Cauca and Cauca where SC operates and in the central department of Antioquia of Colombia. In 2020, violence has been characterised by forced displacement (18,393 displaced), forced confinement of civilians in their homes and 61 massacres (defined as the death of three or more people) by armed groups and the assassination of 215 human rights activists and social leaders . The main illegal non-state armed actors (ANSAs) include: the National Liberation Army (Ejercito Liberación Nacional, ELN), dissidents of the FARC and organised criminal groups.
COVID-19 is layering further crisis upon the conflict, accentuating existing inequalities with increased food insecurity, risk of school desertion and recruitment and use of children by illegal armed groups. A reported 9,594 boys and girls have been directly impacted by grave violations due to armed conflict (COALICO) including forced displacement of 3,158 children, attacks on schools, denial of access to basic services and supplies, sexual violence and recruitment and use by ANSAs. The Colombian Ombudsman (Defensoría del Pueblo) has issued an ‘early warning’ alert following a rise in the number of children recruited and used by ANSAs, and SC staff in Nariño and Arauca have identified a number of children at-risk of recruitment and use.
We predict to see increased food insecurity, further forced displacement (particularly in the Coastal Pacific region of Colombia), high rates of school desertion and concerning situations of recruitment and use of children (Colombian and Venezuelan) by armed groups at the border and in regions where illicit cultivation of coca and marijuana occurs.
The Colombian government appears to be downplaying the events related to the resurgence of conflict with little presence in the most at-risk regions. Limited government capacity as key institutional actors, including the Victims Affair Bureau and Agency for Reintegration, have been significantly underfunded. The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) is under periodic criticism and civil society voice often goes unheard.
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