Authorities in Tolima report that armed dissident groups are forcing rural residents to carry identification cards and attend mandatory meetings [1].
This escalation of social control occurs as armed groups seek to dominate local territories and manipulate civilian behavior through intimidation. The tactics represent a shift toward more formal administrative control over rural populations by non-state actors.
The Tolima Secretary of Security said these "carnetizations" are being used to exert social pressure on communities in the southern region of the department [1, 2]. These groups are reportedly organizing forced gatherings to ensure compliance with their directives, a move that restricts the freedom of movement and assembly for rural citizens.
According to the Secretary of Security, these actions are designed to influence the electoral process scheduled for June 21, 2024 [1]. The authorities said the dissident groups are attempting to sway voter behavior or prevent specific political activities by establishing a visible presence of authority through the issuance of these cards [1].
While reports from the south of Tolima highlight these specific control tactics, other reports indicate that dissidents led by Alexander Díaz Mendoza, known as alias Calarcá, are expanding their influence in Caquetá and Meta [2]. There is a discrepancy between the reported activities in Tolima and the broader strategic movements of the Calarcá faction, which has not been explicitly linked to the identification card campaign in some reports [2].
The situation in southern Tolima underscores the precarious nature of security in Colombia's rural corridors. The use of mandatory identification serves as a tool for mapping the population and identifying those who may resist the groups' influence [1].
“Armed dissident groups are forcing rural residents to carry identification cards.”
The implementation of mandatory identification by armed groups signals a transition from opportunistic violence to systemic governance. By mimicking state functions—such as issuing IDs and convening formal meetings—dissidents attempt to replace the legitimate government's authority in neglected rural areas. This specific timing suggests that controlling the civilian population is a prerequisite for influencing electoral outcomes in the region.
