Huila becomes epicenter of armed conflict in Colombia

The Huila department in Colombia has transitioned from a transit route to a critical epicenter of armed conflict and territorial disputes. According to a report by the Fundación Paz y Reconciliación (PARES) titled ‘Tiempos violentos: radiografía del poder armado en Colombia’, the region is experiencing a consolidation of criminal governance.

The violence is driven by the fragmentation of the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) and the active return of the Segunda Marquetalia. This shift has led to an alarming increase in selective violence, extortion, and threats against the civilian population. Specifically, structures linked to the Teófilo Forero Column of the Segunda Marquetalia have shown increased activity in municipalities such as Rivera, Algeciras, Campoalegre, Suaza, Palestina, and Acevedo.