In the Catatumbo region of Colombia, fierce clashes between armed militias have escalated over control of territory vital to coca cultivation and drug trafficking. With little to no government presence, violence has surged, marked by drone strikes and assassinations that endanger local civilians. The area’s strategic location near Venezuela makes it a central node in the cocaine trade, fueling ongoing conflict and instability.
A Wall Street Journal video team became the first journalists to enter a town following the lifting of a militant-imposed lockdown. Their report captures the harsh reality of life amid the violence, highlighting how the illicit drug economy continues to drive territorial disputes and undermine security. The footage offers rare insight into a region where economic desperation and criminal power intersect, perpetuating cycles of fear and destruction.