Indepaz, the Institute for Development and Peace Studies, reported three new massacres in Colombia, with registrations rising this year. The surge highlights ongoing violence across multiple regions and the continued presence of armed groups that control segments of the country’s social and geographic landscape. Indepaz notes that the latest incidents add to a troubling pattern of clashes, territorial control struggles, and criminal activity that disrupts communities and destabilizes local governance.
In Corinto, Cauca, a vehicle attack left three people dead. The victims, whose identities have yet to be confirmed, were shot in what authorities described as a targeted act carried out by armed factions operating in the area. The perpetrators are linked to a range of groups, including the Gaitanistas Self-Defense Forces, known locally as the AGC, Águilas Negras, the National Liberation Army, ELN, and other local gangs that exert influence over neighborhoods, roads, and informal economies. The event underscores the fragility of public safety in areas where contested influence among rival actors is a daily reality.
In Soacha, Cundinamarca, a family tragedy drew national attention as the deaths of three members of a single household occurred at a public institution. A fourth member of the family was hospitalized, with one survivor showing signs of possible life. The Office of the Ombudsman has highlighted strong evidence of territorial disputes involving multiple armed actors in the region, where outside criminal groups seek to regain control of the western corridor while local structures have, in various ways, established some level of hegemonic reach over sectors of the community. The persistent confrontation among these actors marks a broader struggle over social and economic spaces that affects residents, local businesses, and public services alike.
Also in Valle del Cauca, the municipality of Tuluá saw a brutal act in which a man fired shots that killed his wife, sister-in-law, and two daughters in what authorities described as a case of extreme domestic violence losing control in the early hours of the morning. The victims included a three-year-old child and an eight-year-old, intensifying concerns about the protection of vulnerable families amid widespread insecurity and the complex web of local and regional crime networks that operate in the area. Community leaders and human rights observers emphasize the need for robust preventive measures, improved policing, and social programs to address the root causes fueling such tragedies and the broader cycle of violence that endangers civilians in Valle del Cauca and neighboring departments.
Across the country, analysts observe that these incidents reflect a landscape where armed groups compete for influence, control transportation corridors, and influence local markets. The collusion of criminal networks with local actors often compounds violence, complicating efforts to deliver aid, maintain law and order, and safeguard essential services. Analysts argue that sustained attention from national authorities, regional security initiatives, and international cooperation is essential to reduce the capacity of non-state actors to operate with impunity. The data compiled by Indepaz continues to serve as a barometer for the human cost of the conflict and a guide for policymakers seeking to curb violence, protect communities, and restore trust in institutions. The organization remains committed to documenting abuses, supporting victims, and promoting accountability, while researchers strive to translate complex field realities into actionable insights for local leaders and national decision-makers. (Indepaz)