President Gustavo Petro has granted himself emergency powers for 90 days (potentially extendable) to quell a deadly turf war between dissident rebel groups in Colombia's Catatumbo region. This extreme measure, the first in over a decade, allows Petro to impose curfews, restrict traffic, and take other actions that would normally violate civil rights or require congressional approval.
BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia’s president issued a decree Friday giving him emergency powers to restore order in a coca-growing region bordering Venezuela wracked in recent days by a deadly turf war among dissident rebel groups .
It is the first time in more than a decade that a Colombian president has used such an extreme measure and underscores the seriousness of the current conflict in a country that for decades was paralyzed by political violence. Petro's conservative opponents have criticized the move, accusing the former guerrilla of riding roughshod over the constitution. But some activists have celebrated it, saying they are hopeful the move translates into better infrastructure, health care and schools in the traditionally lawless region.
Earlier this week Petro reactivated arrest orders against 31 top ELN commanders that had been suspended as part of an effort to woo the the Cuban revolution-inspired insurgency into a peace deal to end its 60 year war against the state. Petro also suspended all peace talks, which have advanced slowly since he took office in 2022.
COLOMBIA VENEZUELA REBEL GROUPS EMERGENCY POWERS TURF WAR
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