The unusually deadly violence delivers a devastating blow to the “total peace” program of the country’s first leftist president, Gustavo Petro.

At least 80 people are dead and more than 18,000 have been forced to flee their homes in Colombia, officials say, amid fierce clashes between two rival armed groups on the border with Venezuela.

More than 80 people were killed following the government’s failed attempts to hold peace talks with the National Liberation Army.

Fighting between armed groups involving former FARC rebels in the north-east left more than 80 dead in just 3 days. Read more at straitstimes.com.

More than 8,000 civilians fled the violence, with many seeking shelter in government facilities or hiding in the mountains.

Colombia has suspended peace talks with the National Liberation Army, or ELN, for second time in less than a year after blaming the rebel group for violence that has been affecting a northeastern region of the country in recent days.

Colombia vowed "war" against left-wing guerrillas Monday, as security forces rushed to contain a wave of violence that has killed more than 100 people and threatens to derail the country's