ICRC Report: Conflict-Driven Displacement in Colombia Doubled in 2025

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) released an annual report revealing that the number of people displaced by conflict in Colombia doubled in 2025, marking the worst humanitarian consequences in a decade. The report documents 235,619 individually displaced persons, with 42 percent located in Norte de Santander, and over 87,000 affected by mass displacement events. Since the 2016 FARC ceasefire, the conflict has fragmented among dissident rebel factions and criminal groups competing for territory and illicit industries, leading to severe repercussions for civilians. Violence involving explosive devices and drones intensified, causing a one-third increase in deaths and injuries from explosions, totaling approximately 965 casualties. Additionally, community lockdowns imposed by armed groups rose by nearly 100 percent, restricting access to education, agriculture, and essential services. Olivier Dubois, ICRC’s chief of mission in Colombia, attributed this deterioration to progressive worsening since 2018, highlighting long-lasting effects on social fabric and livelihoods. The findings underscore the continued instability despite peace efforts, as rival armed groups exacerbate the crisis through increased use of heavy weaponry and territorial control tactics, leaving civilians trapped in increasingly dangerous conditions.