Inside the cocaine-fuelled war of Colombia | Unreported World

Quick Overview

The ongoing conflict in Colombia's Catatumbo region, fueled by the coca trade and the presence of the ELN guerrilla group, continues to cause massive displacement of over 50,000 people since 2016, despite a peace deal with the FARC, as the ELN tightens its grip on territory and recruitment persists, leaving indigenous communities like the Bari fearing for their children's future and lacking security guarantees to return home.

Key Points: Over 50,000 people have been displaced from the Catatumbo region since the 2016 peace deal, with many remaining exiled due to ongoing violence and fear. The ELN, Colombia's largest remaining guerrilla group, is accused of continuing the drug war, fighting the FARC dissidents, and controlling territory vital for cocaine trafficking routes. Members of the ELN, including young recruits, state their motivation is political liberation and that their participation is conscious and voluntary, starting from age 16. Indigenous Bari communities in Catatumbo suffer from forced displacement and threats, with community leaders expressing deep disillusionment with the state's inability to secure peace or address the drug problem. The women of the 'Mothers of Catatumbo' organize for peace and support displaced families, highlighting that the violence destroys their lives and souls, with no cure for losing a child. The introduction of drone technology has drastically altered combat dynamics, making it more dangerous for both the army and the guerrillas. Some farmers continue growing coca because it is the only economic alternative that allows their families to survive in the volatile region.

Context: This documentary segment investigates the persistent conflict in the Catatumbo region of Colombia, an area historically central to the country's drug trade. The narrative focuses on the aftermath of the 2016 peace agreement signed with the FARC, revealing that the violence continues due to the presence of the rival ELN guerrilla group and residual FARC factions fighting over coca cultivation territory. The film interweaves interviews with ELN members, indigenous Bari community leaders, and displaced mothers, contrasting the government's claimed peace with the harsh reality of ongoing insecurity and forced migration.