"Alberto's eyes shifted nervously. His chin trembled. His slender hands fumbled with a manila folder containing his family's documents, which he was waiting to present to staff of the Human Rights Ombudsman in the north-eastern Colombian city of Cucuta, in the hope of receiving humanitarian aid. Like more than 2,000 people, Alberto, his wife, and his seven-year-old son arrived in Cucuta in recent days, fleeing a guerrilla offensive in one of the country's most violent regions along the border with Venezuela, known as Catatumbo."
"The battle for control of Catatumbo an area rich with coca crops and cocaine laboratories, and a large porous border with Venezuela is being waged between two groups: the National Liberation Army (ELN) and a dissident faction of the now demobilised Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) guerrilla group. People cross from Venezuela to Colombia via the Francisco de Paula Santander International Bridge, days after the US attacked Venezuela."
"He now faces criminal charges in New York federal court, including narco-terrorism conspiracy for allegedly providing law enforcement cover and logistical support to major drug trafficking groups. While the two events are apparently unrelated, the shake-up in Caracas could eventually affect Catatumbo, given the well-established links between the ELN, which operates in both countries, and some elements of the Venezuelan National Guard."
Alberto and his family arrived in Cucuta after fleeing a guerrilla offensive in Catatumbo. More than 2,000 displaced people reached the city seeking humanitarian aid. Catatumbo is rich in coca crops and cocaine laboratories and shares a porous border with Venezuela. The conflict is between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and a dissident faction of the demobilised FARC. A recent US operation in Venezuela targeting Nicolas Maduro and his criminal charges in New York have added regional uncertainty. Established links between the ELN and elements of the Venezuelan National Guard could influence the conflict's dynamics in Catatumbo.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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