Displaced Families from Chocó Arrive in Medellín Following Clashes Between ELN and Clan del Golfo

Dozens of residents from rural communities in Colombia's Chocó department have arrived in Medellín seeking humanitarian shelter after being caught in the crossfire of clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Clan del Golfo.

Emergency victim assistance centers in Medellín reported the arrival of families who fled remote river and jungle communities due to imminent danger. Reports from Colombia's Ombudsman's Office highlight that hundreds of residents, including Indigenous groups in Nuquí and Alto Baudó, experienced confinement and severe mobility restrictions prior to fleeing.

The fighting stems from protracted territorial disputes over strategic corridors connecting Pacific river basins to illicit drug trafficking and illegal mining routes. Despite governmental dialogue efforts, armed factions continue localized battles across remote regions.

The ongoing influx of displaced people has triggered emergency aid protocols in Medellín, requiring municipal agencies to provide temporary housing, medical aid, and food assistance, while human rights organizations emphasize that urban relief does not resolve the structural need for safe returns.

Institutional representatives and community leaders continue to urge sustained state protection in affected territories to halt hostilities and restore order in collective ancestral lands.