Venezuela: conflict in Colombia continues to spread

On 22 October, JRS accused the Venezuelan security forces of failing to guarantee the protection of the local population. According to JRS, the population is being exposed to continuing intimidation and violence by three left-wing guerrilla groups on the western border with Colombia between El Nula and Guasdualito (Alto Apure state).

Violence between armed groups is causing forced displacement of local populations in the area. On 11 October, one armed group ordered more than 100 people, 32 families in all, to leave the area without offering a reason. They were summoned to a meeting and one of the men was tied up. The rest were told ‘we will kill this man if you do not leave within 20 days’. The man, a member of one of the families, was then publicly assassinated in order to intimidate the rest of the local population”, Jesús Rodríguez Villarroel SJ, Coordinator in El Nula for JRS Venezuela told Dispatches on 19 October.

"Forced to flee, the families have lost two years’ work as they were allowed to bring only their clothes and some household items with them. All the crops they had planted in the last two years had to be left behind. Even sadder, 25 children were forced to abandon their local school", added Fr Rodríguez SJ.

According to the local JRS office, El Nula and the surrounding areas are controlled by three left-wing guerrilla groups, two Colombian, FARC and ELN, and one Venezuelan, FBL. The groups fraternise with local politicians to gain influence.

Over the last few months, the presence of Colombian armed groups is said to have grown substantially. Recent tensions between the groups have led to virtually an all out conflict in the area. Clashes in nearby San Camillo and Urdaneta parishes have caused the displacement of local communities. Locals accuse the guerrillas of forcibly recruiting children and restricting community mobility.

Last year, assassinations and open clashes caused the death of more than 40 people, mainly combatants ranging from 15 to 30 years of age. As the war between these groups and the Colombian state intensifies, with high levels of desertion and injury, the guerrilla groups increasingly seek new combatants.

Consequently, the recruitment of local children has become more common. Many local families are forced to remove their children (aged between 10 and 18) from school to protect them from the risk of recruitment. Fear of forced recruitment has led to a drop in the number of children enrolled in schools throughout the community.

"The conflict in Colombia has spilled over into Venezuela, converting border towns like El Nula into war zones. Intimidation of local populations is widespread as they are forced to observe the dictates of armed groups. Local people are anxious and afraid for their lives. They feel highly vulnerable and abandoned by a Venezuelan state which lacks a clear policy on border security to protect their fundamental human rights. It is time the Venezuelan state developed a plan to re-take control of the area and guarantee the fundamental human rights of the local population", added Fr Rodríguez SJ.

Responding to concerns raised by JRS about refugees and displaced persons in Alto Apure state, Defence Minister General Raul Baduel called on all sectors and organisations to join efforts with the Venezuelan armed forces and share responsibility in matters of security and integral defence.