Video still from Enlace.
Enlace Television reports: “The Regional Corporation for the Defense of Human Rights (Credhos) presented an urgent action to national and territorial authorities for the security situation that, according to the organization, affects peasant, Afro-Colombian, riverside and artisanal fishing communities in the Middle Magdalena, southern Bolívar and the Cimitarra River Valley.”
“The urgent action [presented by Credhos] warns of collective forced displacements, confinements, threats, selective homicides and circulation of pamphlets in different communities. Among the municipalities mentioned are Barrancabermeja, Puerto Wilches, Cantagallo and Yondó.”
“The organization requested the immediate activation of prevention and protection routes for communities that would be exposed to acts of violence. They also asked the Ombudsman’s Office and the municipal attorney’s offices to carry out verifications directly in the territories.”
The article continues: “According to Credhos, the situation would be related to a territorial dispute between armed structures that are present in different areas of the region. The organization mentions the National Liberation Army (ELN), the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC) and FARC dissident structures.”
Armed actors and community displacement
In the video of the news report, Ivan Madero says: “In this urgent action, we highlight our concern and rejection of the continuous and permanent military action against the civilian population. The serious confrontations that have come since last year due to the territorial dispute exercised by the armed actors that are in the region, such as the AGC, the ELN, and the dissidents of the FARC, of the block in Magdalena Medio, realize not only the forced collective and community displacement that has been taking place since last year in the middle zone of the valley of the Cimitarra River, but that they have presented a series of serious events such as confinements and selective assassinations.”
Armed actors use drones against civilians
And Ramon Abril notes: “A multiple number of violations of international humanitarian law in municipalities such as Norosí, Río Viejo, San Pablo, Cimití, and Morales, in which, through confrontation and the use of drones, specifically by these structures, the civilian population and its assets are being affected.”
The Enlace Television report also highlights: “In March 2026, a mission accompanied by Peace Brigades International and organizations in the region verified impacts of armed clashes and mass displacement in Puerto Matilde, Yondó jurisdiction, according to the report published by the international organization.”
PBI-Colombia accompanies CREDHOS on Verification Commission in the communities of Puerto Matilde and Tamar Bajo (PBI-Canada, March 12, 2026).
Peace Brigades International has accompanied the Regional Corporation for the Defense of Human Rights (Credhos) since 1994.
At PBI-Canada we continue to follow updates from Credhos and PBI-Colombia via social media and news articles.
