2024-09-23 10:51:09
Since late July, the largest FARC dissident group, under the command of Néstor Gregorio Vera Fernández, alias Iván Mordisco, has experienced a schism that has triggered a conflict with his second in command, Alexánder Díaz Mendoza, known as ‘Calarcá’. This internal struggle has generated concern in the populations of the south of the country, where an increase in violence is feared. Faced with this situation, the Ombudsman’s Office issued an early warning on September 10 for the rural areas of Cartagena del Chairá, in Caquetá, due to the imminence of clashes.
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In response to this alert, The National Army deployed a contingent of more than 100 soldiers in the El Guamo areaseeking to protect the civilian population from organized armed groups. Colonel Daniel Guevara Arismendy, commander of the Twelfth Brigade, stressed that the objective of this operation is to safeguard the inhabitants, who face an increase in violence, such as extortion and forced recruitment of minors. Thanks to this intervention, More than 20 families were able to return home safelyalthough the recruitment of a minor by the ‘Calarcá’ dissident group was reported.
Since late August, clashes between the ‘Calarcá’ and ‘Iván Mordisco’ factions have left dead, and hostilities have intensified. The ‘Calarcá’ dissident group, which is currently in a peace process with the National Government, has been accused of attacking ‘Mordisco’ units, resulting in the deaths of several guerrillas, including attacks on civilians.
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The tension between ‘Mordisco’ and ‘Calarcá’ is believed to have originated in early 2024 due to disagreements over economic contributions derived from drug trafficking. ‘Calarcá’ was seeking a place at the negotiating table with the Government, but its refusal to accept certain conditions has led to a possible state of insurrection. This situation is complicated by the withdrawal of ‘Mordisco’ from the negotiations, intensifying the dispute over control of illegal income in the south of the country.