Concerns for the Safety of the Arhuaco Indigenous Communities in Aracataca-Magdalena and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

ABColombia expresses its profound concern regarding the serious humanitarian situation that has been unfolding in the rural area of Aracataca-Magdalena with reports of armed confrontations between the Clan del Golfo and the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (ASCN). The Arhuaco Indigenous community in the Sierra Neva de Santa Marta, Colombia, are caught in the middle of the crossfire.

On 6 March 2026, armed clashes between the Clan del Golfo and the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada in rural areas of Aracataca have resulted in the death of an indigenous person from Serankwa and another member of the community following the explosion of a grenade. Multiple indigenous people have been injured, including pregnant women and children. There are also reports of the disappearance of indigenous women. These events highlight the serious risk faced by peasant and indigenous communities in the territory. Furthermore, the communities continue to report restrictions on mobility, the presence of war material in the area, the movement of armed men, and a general climate of fear that could lead to further confinement or forced displacement.   

We join the voices of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia, the British Embassy in Bogota, and many others, in calling on all armed actors to respect International Humanitarian Law and refrain from committing acts that affect the civilian population. It is essential that the Colombian authorities intensify their efforts to guarantee the safety of all Indigenous and peasant communities in the area, including the communities of Serankwa, Sabana Gobierno, Gunmaku and Dwinawimmaku, all caught amid armed confrontations.  

The rural communities of Aracataca cannot continue to be caught in the middle of armed disputes. The civilian population must be respected in accordance with the principles of International Humanitarian Law, and the State has an obligation to guarantee their protection. 

In view of this situation ABColombia recommends that the: 

  • UK Embassy, the Irish Embassy and the UN continues to accompany and monitor this situation, helping to prevent a further humanitarian crisis in the territory. 
  • Aracataca Mayor’s Office rapidly activates institutional response mechanisms, convenes the transitional justice committee, and coordinates comprehensive care actions for the families affected.  
  • Magdalena Local Government provides urgent institutional support, activates victim care routes, and deploys humanitarian actions. 
  • Interior Ministry activates prevention and protection mechanisms for the communities at risk. 
  • Defence Ministry adopts measures to guarantee the safety of the civilian population and prevents further armed clashes in these territories. 
  • High Commissioner for Peace urges these groups, within the dialogue processes that the Colombian Government is advancing with armed groups, to respect the life, integrity and rights of the civilian population.