The move comes as special forces advanced into guerrilla-controlled territories near the Venezuelan border on Tuesday, January 21, aiming to re-establish state control. The mountainous northeastern Catatumbo region has witnessed a surge in fighting between armed leftist groups competing for control over coca plantations and trafficking routes.

Colombia’s government is reactivating arrest orders for the top leadership of the nation’s largest rebel group.

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's attorney general's office on Wednesday reissued arrest warrants for leaders of the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels, who had been participating in peace talks, as forced displacement caused by ELN attacks rose to 32,000 people.

At least 80 civilians have been killed amid a surge of violence between rival rebel groups.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro looks on as he is welcomed with military honors by Leslie Voltaire, president of Haiti's Transition Council, upon his arrival for an official visit where they will have a binational council of ministers, in Jacmel, Haiti January 22, 2025. REUTERS/Marckinson Pierre

Francisco de Miranda, considered to be the precursor of Venezuela’s independence, stitched the country’s first flag in Jacmel and set sail from the port city. A decade later, South American liberator Simón Bolívar launched his successful movement from Jacmel’s shores.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro is visiting Haiti as part of a whirlwind trip to strengthen ties with the violence-wracked country