3.2. Conflict dynamics and main areas of dispute

3.2. Conflict dynamics and main areas of dispute

This report does not purport to capture all the dynamics and ever-changing complexities of each conflict situation on the ground, and the following chapter presents a sampling of what are the main dynamics reported according to sources. It is important to note that they capture only a picture of the situation at a specific moment in time.

In 2024, the ICRC identified eight non-international armed conflicts taking place in Colombia, including between the State and the ELN, the AGC and FARC dissident groups; and FARC dissident groups against the AGC, the ELN and other FARC dissident groups.300 The July 2025 military intelligence report identified 13 main areas of dispute by illegal armed groups, as well as the areas where alliances have been identified and areas where confrontations are taking place, as follows:301

In its September 2025 report on the mutations of armed groups, FIP provides a map showing the areas of influence and overlaps where armed and criminal groups have presence in Colombia:

According to information provided to EUAA by Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), between 1 January and 24 October 2025, nearly 60 % of the violence in this period concentrates in 5 departments: Cauca, Antioquia, Norte de Santander, Nariño, Arauca.304 The epicentres of that violence, according to ACLED, are visualised in the map at Figure 4.305 Some of these epicentres are described below in additional detail.

ACLED also reported that the number of municipalities with a recorded presence of armed groups has increased from 355 in 2018, to 456 in 2024, marking an expansion dating before President Gustavo Petro and continuing under his administration.307 ACLED further noted there have been over 900 armed clashes between armed groups, marking a 61 % increase in that period.308 The conflict is marked by fragmentation due to volatile alliances and divisions within armed and criminal groups themselves.309