Thousands flee fighting: “Forced to leave everything behind”
Thousands of Colombians have fled their homes since fighting flared up between rebel groups in northeastern Colombia, AFP reports.
62-year-old Gladis Angarita did not have time to pack more than a few clothes and her asthma medicine.
“We left everything behind out of fear. I don’t even have any pajamas,” she says when AFP’s reporter meets her in the town of Tibu.
The Tibu bus station is bustling with activity and packed with people trying to get to other parts of the country.
“My heart aches for Catatumbo, for the whole country. There are many innocent people who are paying the price of the war,” says Carmelina Perez.
At least 80 people have died in the past week of fighting between the leftist rebel group ELN and breakaway groups from the former Farc guerrillas, according to Colombian authorities.
At least 60 dead in new guerrilla fighting in Colombia
Colombian authorities say at least 60 people have been killed since fighting flared up between rebel groups in the country, AFP reports.
The leftist rebel group ELN and breakaway groups from the former Farc guerrilla are fighting for control of the drug trade in northeastern Colombia, near the border with Venezuela.
Colombia's army chief, Luis Emilio Cardozo, describes the situation as critical.
- As the nation's army, it is up to us to stabilize the area.
Thousands of Colombians have fled their homes since fighting flared up between rebel groups in northeastern Colombia, AFP reports.
62-year-old Gladis Angarita did not have time to pack more than a few clothes and her asthma medicine.
“We left everything behind out of fear. I don’t even have any pajamas,” she says when AFP’s reporter meets her in the town of Tibu.
The Tibu bus station is bustling with activity and packed with people trying to get to other parts of the country.
“My heart aches for Catatumbo, for the whole country. There are many innocent people who are paying the price of the war,” says Carmelina Perez.
At least 80 people have died in the past week of fighting between the leftist rebel group ELN and breakaway groups from the former Farc guerrillas, according to Colombian authorities.
At least 60 dead in new guerrilla fighting in Colombia
Colombian authorities say at least 60 people have been killed since fighting flared up between rebel groups in the country, AFP reports.
The leftist rebel group ELN and breakaway groups from the former Farc guerrilla are fighting for control of the drug trade in northeastern Colombia, near the border with Venezuela.
Colombia's army chief, Luis Emilio Cardozo, describes the situation as critical.
- As the nation's army, it is up to us to stabilize the area.
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