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Clashes erupted between two dissident factions of the once-disbanded FARC guerrilla group, resulting in 48 fatalities in the Colombian Amazon, according to a local mayor. The violence occurred several days before Colombia’s presidential election scheduled for May 31. Willy Rodriguez, mayor of San Jose del Guaviare—about six hours from the scene—told AFP that the bodies remain scattered and need urgent removal. Colombia is experiencing its most intense violence since FARC disarmed in 2016, after more than five decades of conflict. Several smaller guerrilla groups are fighting over control of jungle territories, along with controlling revenues from drug trafficking and illegal mining. The fighting took place in the hamlet of Vereda Piripal, with the provisional death toll provided by local authorities. An army source confirmed that hostilities in a historic FARC stronghold began on Monday; however, details about whether the clashes are ongoing are not available, as rescue teams have yet to reach the site. This surge in violence challenges President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” efforts, a core issue in the current presidential race. Leading candidate Ivan Cepeda, a leftist senator, has pledged to continue engaging in negotiations with armed groups, while his right-wing opponents, including lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella—a supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump—argue for a military crackdown on rebels. National security remains a major concern, with the upcoming election clouded by reports of murders, kidnappings, and bombings. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that around 408,000 security personnel, equipped with aircraft, ships, drones, anti-drone systems, and armored vehicles, have been deployed to ensure a peaceful voting process. If no candidate secures more than half of the votes on election day, a runoff between the top two contenders will occur on June 21.
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