Armed groups increase pressure on social leaders in Colombia

Social and community leaders in Colombia, particularly in the Antioquia region, are facing increasing pressure and violence from various armed groups. The Institute for Studies for Development and Peace (Indepaz) has recorded 14 murders of social leaders in Antioquia so far in 2026, including the recent killing of Deiby Bernavi Arboleda Cárdenas, a volunteer firefighter and community leader in Anorí.

Territorial disputes driven by illegal mining, drug trafficking, illicit crops, and extortion have fueled conflict between groups such as the National Liberation Army (ELN), the Clan del Golfo, and FARC-EP dissidents. In the first half of the year, the Sumapaz Foundation reported 120 aggressions against social leaders in Antioquia, with the authorship of nearly half of these cases remaining unknown.

Human rights organizations, including CREDHOS, have raised alarms regarding the presence of Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia (AGC) paramilitary structures within populated areas in Cantagallo and Yondó. Advocates claim that military authorities are aware of these group locations and operations but have failed to take effective action to protect civilians or restore security. CREDHOS has called upon international human rights bodies and the United Nations to monitor the situation and demand that the Colombian state fulfill its obligations to guarantee rights.