At least 80 dead, several kidnapped in Colombia after failed peace talks

More than 80 people have been killed in Colombia’s northeast region following failed attempts to hold peace talks with the National Liberation Army, a Colombian official said.

Twenty others have been injured, according to William Villamizar, governor of North Santander, where many of the killings occurred.

Among the victims are community leader Carmelo Guerrero and seven people who sought to sign a peace deal, according to a report that a government ombudsman agency released late Saturday. Officials said the attacks occurred in several towns located in the Catatumbo region near the border with Venezuela, with at least three people who were part of the peace talks being kidnapped. Thousands of people are fleeing the area, with some hiding in the nearby lush mountains or seeking help at government shelters. Colombia’s army rescued dozens of people on Sunday, including a family and their pet dog, whose owner held a pack of cold water against the animal’s chest to keep it cool as they evacuated via helicopter.

Defence Minister Ivan Velasquez travelled to the northeast town of Cucuta on Sunday while officials prepared to send 10 tons of food and hygiene kits for approximately 5,000 people in the communities of Ocana and Tibu, the majority of them having fled the violence. (CBS)

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