Colombia tourist jewel plagued by violence
Summary
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia is a popular tourist spot known for its natural beauty and Indigenous culture. However, armed groups like the Self-Defence Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN) control illegal activities there, including extortion of local businesses and Indigenous communities, threatening the region's safety and tourism.Key Facts
- The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is a national park attracting many tourists for its mountains, jungle, and beaches.
- The 2016 peace deal with FARC ended decades of war, boosting tourism in the area.
- The ACSN, a group made of former paramilitaries, controls drug trafficking and illegal mining in the region.
- ACSN members extort money from hotels, tour companies, and Indigenous people selling crafts.
- The government closed Tayrona National Park temporarily due to threats from ACSN against park rangers.
- Indigenous communities in the area face violence and pressure from armed groups.
- The Gulf Clan drug cartel is challenging ACSN for control, causing conflict.
- The Colombian government has tried a “total peace” campaign to disarm armed groups, but ACSN still controls much of the region.
- Extortion complaints in Colombia exceeded 46,000 since 2022, impacting tourism confidence.
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