In this episode of The Round Room, we explore the escalating humanitarian crisis in Colombia’s Catatumbo region, where armed groups, drug trafficking, and a lack of government control have fueled decades of violence. We break down the region’s complex history, from guerrilla movements and paramilitary forces to the failed 2016 peace agreement that left a power vacuum now filled by warring factions. With mass displacements, rising casualties, and reports of human rights abuses, the Colombian government has deployed thousands of soldiers, but internal divisions and military intervention complicate the situation. As the conflict continues to evolve, we discuss its devastating impact on civilians and the urgent need to stay informed.

We would love to thank our writing team who put together the script for this episode: Styx Hatch, Audrey Collison, Iselin Bratz, Ivan Andarza, Mathew Olaince, and Sadie Scholl . And, of course, we'd love to thank our sound editors Colten Gottlob, and Nik Vyshinskiy

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Sources:

https://newlinesmag.com/spotlight/a-rekindled-conflict-has-pushed-colombia-into-a-state-of-emergency/ 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vd7njv4zzo 

https://reliefweb.int/report/colombia/ongoing-violence-catatumbo-norte-de-santander 

https://www.eltiempo.com/justicia/conflicto-y-narcotrafico/crisis-humanitaria-en-el-catatumbo-pone-en-jaque-la-paz-total-que-ha-pasado-en-la-region-3420567

https://www.elespectador.com/judicial/catatumbo-hoy-presidente-de-la-corte-suprema-de-justicia-se-reunira-en-cucuta-con-los-jueces-de-la-region-noticias-hoy/

https://www.asuntoslegales.com.co/actualidad/mindefensa-publico-balance-de-la-situacion-en-el-catatumbo-hay-54-038-desplazados-4057186

https://www.larepublica.co/economia/gobierno-de-petro-expidio-16-decretos-nuevos-de-conmocion-region-de-catatumbo-4055861