Catatumbo River basin connects ecosystems and communities in Norte de Santander

The Catatumbo River originates in the Jurisdicciones moorland in the Ábrego municipality, at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level. This river system, which flows into Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, covers an area of 16,626 square kilometers within Colombia and provides approximately 60 percent of the freshwater for the Norte de Santander department.

The river basin, known as the ‘House of Thunder’ in the ancestral Motilón Barí language, serves as a vital link between diverse ecosystems, cultures, and economies. Beyond its ecological importance, the region has been significantly impacted by armed conflict, leading the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) to declare the river a subject of rights within the context of the conflict.

The basin encompasses various tributaries, including the Frío, Oroque, and Algodonal rivers, and plays a central role in the social and economic resilience of the subregion.