| 2022 Arauca clashes | |
| Location: | Arauca Department, Colombia |
| Date: | 2 January 2022 |
| Type: | clashes |
| Fatalities: | 23 |
| Injuries: | unknown |
| Conflict: | 2022 Arauca clashes |
| Partof: | the Colombian conflict and the Venezuelan crisis |
| Date: | 2 January, 2022 |
| Place: | Arauca Department, Colombia |
| Combatant1: | ELN |
| Combatant2: | FARC dissidents |
On 2 January 2022, 23 people were killed in clashes between far-left guerrilla groups in Arauca Department, Colombia.[1] [2] The National Liberation Army (ELN) clashed with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissidents near the border with Venezuela.[1]
FARC agreed to a ceasefire in 2016,[2] but there are around 5,000 dissidents currently operating.[1] There are about 2,500 active ELN members.[1] Colombia is the world's largest producer of cocaine; the two militant groups clash due to fighting over control of the large illegal drug trade.[1]