Confrontation of armed groups leaves more than 20 dead in Arauca, Colombia

HRW: Venezuelans victims of criminal groups in Arauca 2:27

(CNN Spanish) -

More than 20 people were killed in clashes between armed groups in different rural areas of the Arauca department, in Colombia, located on the border with Venezuela, the government reported.

In a series of tweets, the Secretary of the Government Edgar Guzmán regretted and rejected the "acts of terror" as a result of the confrontation of irregular groups of the FARC and ELN dissidents, which caused "violence and death to the residents."

The government pointed out that the incidents occurred in the municipalities of Tame, Saravena, Fortul and Arauquita during the course of Sunday, January 2.

The president of Colombia, Iván Duque, indicated this Monday that he will participate in a security council with different authorities in the Defense area.

In statements to the radio station La FM, he announced that each place in the territory will be evaluated "point by point".

This, he said, to continue advancing in operations against these structures.

Duque said he hopes to have detailed information after the security council is over.

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• What happens in Arauca, on the border between Colombia and Venezuela?

Thousands of Venezuelans flee clashes on the border with Colombia 2:46

The armed conflict in Arauca

The Office of the Attorney General of the Nation of Colombia on Monday rejected the violent acts and called on the authorities to guarantee human rights and to disseminate the "real" numbers of deaths and injuries in these clashes.

The Office of the Ombudsman of Colombia expressed this Sunday its "deep concern" about the worsening of the armed conflict in Arauca, due to the confrontation between illegal armed groups that "put the civilian population at imminent risk."

In his Twitter account, he indicated that, according to information compiled by his regional division, in the last hours there were homicides, threats, illegal detentions, massive displacements and risk of forced displacement in border municipalities such as Tame, Fortul, Saravena and Arauquita.

He assured that they are in permanent contact with leaders of these sectors, as well as with local authorities.

He added that the security councils of Tame and Saravena called for the activation of emergency plans.

He also exhorted the regional authorities to activate the pertinent entities to attend and protect the civilian population of the Araucanian foothills.

"We continue to provide support and follow-up in the face of this humanitarian emergency," he said.

The Venezuelan authorities have not commented on the matter.

Arauca