President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella and Norte de Santander authorities have launched a new strategy to stabilize the Catatumbo region [1].
The initiative seeks to reduce violence between the ELN and Frente 33 while establishing a framework for long-term development in a volatile border area [2, 3].
Luis Fernando Niño, the peace counselor for Norte de Santander, said the plan follows the first regional transition meeting with De la Espriella [1]. The strategy combines security measures, humanitarian attention, and the creation of a dedicated management office to strengthen ties with the national government [1, 2].
Immediate efforts have focused on civilian safety in the rural areas of Tibú. Niño said that officials have cleared roads to allow the civilian population in Catatumbo to flee areas of conflict [2]. This action follows several months of requests from Niño to the national government for urgent measures to protect residents [2].
Beyond immediate security, the plan aims to foster regional development through structured projects. The goal is to address the humanitarian crisis, and mitigate the ongoing clashes between the ELN and Frente 33 [2, 3].
Other peace efforts in the northeast of the country have seen different approaches. President Gustavo Petro previously announced an agreement to create a peace zone with a front of dissidents from the defunct FARC [4]. While the current strategy focuses on a multifaceted approach of security and development, the region continues to be a focal point for competing peace initiatives and armed conflict [3, 4].
“"Hemos despejado las carreteras para que la gente en Catatumbo pueda huir."”
The coordination between the president-elect and regional peace counselors suggests a shift toward localized, integrated management of conflict zones. By combining military road-clearing with humanitarian corridors and administrative oversight, the incoming administration is attempting to stabilize the Catatumbo region before formally taking office, signaling a priority on border security and the mitigation of clashes between dissident factions.
