Regional Overview: Latin America & the Caribbean | July 2023

Colombia: Heightened clashes between state forces and armed groups, and persistent violence targeting civilians undermine peace efforts

Political violence in Colombia saw an increase of about 12% in July compared to the month prior, largely due to clashes between state forces and armed groups. Notably, the clashes – recorded in several departments, including Antioquia and Norte de Santander – come amid ongoing peace talks with several armed groups, and an impending six-month ceasefire between the ELN and the Colombian government – expected to come into effect on 3 August.¹ The escalation in clashes was partially driven by targeted assassinations of police and military officers carried out by the Gulf Clan and other armed groups in an effort to assert power amid peace negotiations.² Elsewhere, armed groups attacked security forces in Meta, while in Córdoba, military operations targeting the Gulf Clan led to an increase in clashes.³ In Caquetá, FARC dissident groups also attacked military personnel in retaliation for the alleged breakdown of a bilateral ceasefire.⁴

Meanwhile, civilians continued to be at heightened risk of violence, with notable increases in attacks in Cauca, Chocó, and Nariño in July compared to the month prior. In Chocó, Afro-Colombian communities bore the brunt of worsening violence that led to the displacement of over 21,000 people thus far in 2023.⁵ The increase in violence targeting civilians in the department in July follows the ELN’s launch of a paro armado – an armed curfew enforced on the civilian population.⁶ In Cauca, ACLED records a 64% increase in civilian targeting compared to June, including the killing of at least five social leaders. Social leaders are at heightened risk of violence in Colombia for their public role in defending communities’ rights. These developments underline the precarious situation for civilians despite peace talks.

Guatemala: Election-related violence and disorder continue amid ongoing uncertainty around results and an upcoming presidential run-off

Political violence related to Guatemala’s 25 June elections continued into July, as ACLED records several attacks against elected officials. Unidentified gunmen carried out two separate attacks, injuring an elected councilman in Quiché department and injuring a bodyguard during an attack on the mayor of Ayutla, San Marcos department. Although the perpetrators of these attacks remain unreported, local experts have connected some electoral violence incidents to disputes involving political elites and organized criminal groups seeking to influence local politics.⁷ Notably, in San Marcos, local sources have reported links between politicians and criminal groups that operate along the border with Mexico, including family members of the recently elected mayor of Ayutla.⁸

Meanwhile, uncertainty over the presidential election results and participation of the Semilla party in the run-off scheduled for 20 August led to at least 19 peaceful protests across 10 of the 22 departments in the country. Delays in confirming the results after political parties asked for a recount over alleged irregularities raised concerns of political interference in the electoral process. Additionally, the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity (FECI) requested to suspend the legal status of the frontrunner’s Semilla party over alleged irregularities in the party registration, threatening its participation in the run-off and sparking further discontent. Electoral authorities eventually confirmed the top placing of the Semilla and UNE candidates and the Constitutional Court decided in favor of the Semilla party’s participation in the run-off. However, concerns over the fairness of the electoral process remain. On 26 July, the Semilla candidate claimed that the public prosecutor had sought to arrest at least 12 party members, which led to the Semilla party founder’s exile.⁹

Haiti: Ongoing Vitelhomme gang violence in Petionville and Tabarre drives an increase in deadly civilian targeting

The Vitelhomme gang continued to target civilians with arson and direct attacks in several neighborhoods of Tabarre and Petionville communes in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. This activity drove a 35% increase in civilian fatalities in July across the country compared to the previous month. About a third of reported fatalities in July took place during targeted attacks on civilians in Petionville and Tabarre. Over 100 residents were also displaced in the violence, with police forces deploying tear gas to disperse residents who sought refuge outside of the United States Embassy on 25 July. Local human rights organizations decried the police intervention that left at least four people injured, including minors, while also denouncing the impunity of the Vitelhomme leader and his alleged links with a high-level police official.¹⁰ Thus far in 2023, ACLED records a fourfold increase in violent actions involving the Vitelhomme gang compared to the same period in 2022. Increased gang activity in Tabarre, where the US Embassy is located, has notably prompted the US to withdraw non-essential embassy personnel. Similarly, an attack on a compound housing the Jamaican consulate in June led to the suspension of Jamaica’s consulate services.¹¹

These developments come amid Haiti’s calls for foreign intervention to fight gangs and restore security. The appeal has gained little traction generally, but particularly from the US and Canada, who have instead adopted economic sanctions against gang leaders and politicians maintaining ties with gangs. Canada notably blamed Haiti’s political elites for not taking seriously their responsibility to restore security¹². On 29 July, however, Kenya agreed to lead a multinational force and send 1,000 police forces. The Bahamas joined Kenya, committing to send 150 personnel.¹³ Kenya’s planned deployment has generated reservations over its security force’s relatively small size and lack of experience in the fight against gangs in an urban setting.¹⁴

Mexico: Violence targeting civilians escalates amid disputes between criminal groups and use of explosives

In July, violence targeting civilians likely related to gang activity increased in Baja California, Guerrero, and Nuevo León states, contributing to a 52% rise compared to the previous month. In Nuevo León, civilian targeting has led to some of the highest monthly fatality levels in years, which authorities have attributed to escalating disputes between organized crime groups fighting over human and fuel trafficking revenues.¹⁵ Elsewhere in Michoacán, armed groups have also targeted civilians with drones charged with explosives in at least three separate attacks that left one person injured. Security experts have reported the increasing use of drones by criminal groups to carry out attacks and surveillance and control activities.¹⁶ In July, ACLED records the highest number of remote explosives attacks in Michoacán since the beginning of 2023. Armed groups’ use of remote violence is also mirrored in other states, as an air drone attack was also recorded in Veracruz in July.

Peru: Renewed wave of anti-government demonstrations turns violent

Peru’s ongoing political turmoil escalated with a new wave of demonstrations and a third ‘Toma de Lima’ mobilization, a convergence of demonstrators from several regions in the capital. The mobilization comes months after nationwide unrest sparked by former President Pedro Castillo’s arrest and removal from office in December 2022. This new wave of demonstrations repeated calls for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, triggered by the violent crackdowns and accusations of human rights abuses during the first wave of demonstrations that resulted in about 50 fatalities.¹⁷ Although mostly peaceful, ACLED records at least seven violent demonstrations in July. On 19 July, demonstrators attempted to set fire to a prefecture office in Huancavelica following clashes with police. In Lima, police used long guns to disperse demonstrators, signifying another drastic police escalation and leading to the injuries of at least 11 people.¹⁸ On 28 July, police clashed again with demonstrators, which led to at least two civilians injured, including a journalist who they also arrested.

Trinidad and Tobago: Gang rivalries prompt an increase in violence in San Juan-Laventille

Ongoing feuds between some of the country’s most significant groups – the Rasta gang and the Sixx gang-aligned Any Body can Get it gang – drove an increase in violence targeting civilians. Notably, in San Juan-Laventille, retaliatory and arson attacks by gang members resulted in the killing of at least six people, including relatives of gang members and other people connected to them. The violence has contributed to heightened levels of political violence in San Juan-Laventille between January and July 2023, leading to an at least 45% increase compared to the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, gang clashes left at least three dead following clashes in cities along the country’s east-west corridor, including Port of Spain and Arima, where gangs have sought control to connect Port of Spain with the main urban areas of the country.¹⁹

Violence related to gang activity has steadily increased in Trinidad and Tobago over recent years. Thus far in 2023, ACLED records a 33% increase compared to the same period in 2022. Security experts have identified at least 140 gangs in the country involved in extortion activities and the trafficking of drugs, weapons, and migrants.²⁰