Red Cross says people displaced by conflict in Colombia doubled last year | Articles of Controversy

The ICRC’s annual report found that the situation is worsening for Colombian civilians amid ongoing fighting between armed groups.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has documented an increase in displacement, loss and serious injury as a result of Colombia’s six-year conflict.

In an annual report released on Tuesday, the ICRC found that 2025 saw the “worst humanitarian consequences” of the last decade of conflict.

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Since 1964, Colombia has been struggling with international conflicts that have torn apart guerrilla groups, left-wing rebels, right-wing and government forces.

A turning point came in 2016, when the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the country’s largest left-wing rebel group, agreed to a cease-fire agreement and disarmament.

But the ICRC pointed out that the conflict has become more divisive since then, and the consequences have been felt by ordinary people.

“The humanitarian situation in 2025 is the result of the destruction that the ICRC has warned about since 2018,” said Olivier Dubois, head of the ICRC in Colombia. “Civilians are facing increasing hardships because of this.”

Population displacement and conflictfor example, it has doubled in the last year. The ICRC found that 235,619 people were displaced individually due to fighting in 2025, with only 42 percent in the department of Norte de Santander.

The number of civilians affected by mass migration has also increased to over 87,000.

Tuesday’s report also reported explosive activity levels and drones in the Colombian war. The number of people killed is explosive devices increased by one third in 2025, compared to the previous year.

At least 965 people were killed or injured by explosive devices last year.

The ICRC reported that fear of injury or death has forced many families to stay indoors, limiting access to education, crops and essential services.

The number of people in small communities trapped in armed forces will increase by almost 100 percent in 2025.

“This destruction was manifested in visible and immediate events and in profound, long-term consequences that changed the lives of civilians,” the ICRC said.

“Social weakness, long-term restrictions on access to essential goods and services, and changes in people’s lifestyles have affected communities.”

Colombia has seen its conflict dynamics escalate over the past decade. Following a ceasefire in 2016, several opposition groups split from the FARC, refusing to accept an alliance with the government.

The opposition groups, as well as the anti-terrorist groups military unitsthey will continue to work hard to control the illegal territories and industries that the FARC left behind.

Left-wing leader Gustavo Petro, a former guerrilla fighter, won the presidency in 2022 promising to abandon Colombia’s military approach to war.

These measures were said to exacerbate conflicts and perpetuate rights violations, also in Colombia Truth Commission he asked that the methods be changed.

After taking office, Petro said that he would continue to discuss and armed forces, a process he called “Total Peace”.

But right-wing critics have criticized the approach as too lenient, and the talks have faced many obstacles amid violent protests across the country.

Security is expected to take action in the upcoming elections on May 31.

While the leader of the left-wing front Ivan Cepeda received “Total Peace”, his right-wing supporters, including Abelardo de la Espriella, have promised to end the program and follow more strict measures.

“Anyone who goes to cause chaos and attack me, the people, or the security forces will be met with an iron fist,” de la Espriella said.