The Colombian border village of Tres Bocas has emptied as residents flee escalating violence in the Catatumbo region, leaving at least 80 dead and displacing over 18,000 people, with 1,000 seeking refuge in Venezuela.

Fighting has intensified between the ELN and FARC-EMC, rival groups vying for control of the region’s drug routes.

Recent ELN attacks on civilians led Colombian President Gustavo Petro to suspend peace talks and plan emergency measures, ABC News has reported.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the violence and displacement, urging armed groups to respect civilians and allow humanitarian access.

Written by B.C. Begley