# Governance and security challenges in Nariño > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/governance-and-security-challenges-in-nario > Updated: 2026-09-06T02:48:13.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 3. The administration of Nariño Governor Luis Alfonso Escobar continues to face scrutiny regarding regional governance and security protocols. Following warnings from President Abelardo de la Espriella regarding unauthorized contact with illegal organizations, Governor Escobar has denied allegations of conducting secret pacts with armed groups, maintaining that all dialogue processes are conducted through official national government channels. This political tension escalated when former President Gustavo Petro proposed a civic strike in the Nariño department to support Governor Escobar. Petro argued that such mobilization is necessary to defend the peace process, claiming that President De la Espriella is ‘threatening a people that seeks peace.’ Concurrently, President De la Espriella has implemented a hardline security stance. As the President completes his first month in office, the administration has reported significant progress in its offensive against armed groups. Since August 7, authorities have conducted 14,914 arrests and seized over 49,000 kilograms of narcotics. Recent military operations in Nariño specifically resulted in the deaths of seven members of the Franco Benavides FARC dissident front and the destruction of five cocaine processing laboratories. Amidst this escalation, Colombian officials have raised alarms that top leaders of the ELN and the Segunda Marquetalia are hiding in Venezuela. Defense Minister Jorge Eduardo Mora and General Erick Rodríguez have asserted that the leadership of the ELN and key figures from the Segunda Marquetalia, such as Iván Márquez, are operating clandestinely within Venezuelan territory, having transitioned from rural camps to urban environments to maintain ease of movement. General Rodríguez specifically identified ELN leaders Antonio García, Pablo Beltrán, Silvana Guerrero, and Pablito as being present in Venezuela, describing the ELN as a ‘transnational terrorist organization’ expanding toward Amazonas and the Guyana border. ## Claims - The entire leadership of the ELN is currently hiding in Venezuela. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Iván Márquez and the Segunda Marquetalia group are located in Venezuela. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Since August 7, 2026, Colombia has recorded 14,914 arrests. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Authorities have seized 49,379 kilograms of narcotics since August 7. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Guerrilla leaders have moved from rural camps to urban areas in Venezuela for greater comfort. (corroborated by 3 sources) - A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on August 10, causing significant casualties and damage. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Seven members of the Franco Benavides FARC dissident front were killed in Nariño. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Colombian Ombudsman's Office criticized the President for appearing to compete with criminals in displays of cruelty. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: Colombia military warns ELN and FARC leaders are hiding in Venezuela Colombian military officials warn that top leaders of the ELN and Segunda Marquetalia are hiding in urban areas in Venezuela, prompting calls for increased regional security cooperation. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nario-governor-denies-secret-pacts-with-armed-groups ### 2026-09-05: Gustavo Petro proposes civic strike in Nariño Former Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for a civic strike in Nariño to support Governor Luis Alfonso Escobar following tensions with President Abelardo de la Espriella. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gustavo-petro-proposes-civic-strike-in-nario ### 2026-08-23: Nariño Governor Luis Alfonso Escobar criticized by former senator Former Senator Samuel Escrucería criticized Nariño Governor Luis Alfonso Escobar, citing rising crime, unemployment, and poor infrastructure despite political alignment with the national government. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nario-governor-luis-alfonso-escobar-criticized-by-former-senator --- Cite as: Governance and security challenges in Nariño. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/governance-and-security-challenges-in-nario