Myths and realities of Catatumbo

Catatumbo is a region located in northeastern Colombia on the border with Venezuela, which has historically been the scene of waves of violence. In recent years, it has established itself as one of the areas with the largest coca cultivation in the country. This situation has generated conflicts between illegal groups and state forces for control of the territory, which have caused the displacement of area residents fleeing the conflicts. This article describes the economic and social situation of the Catatumbo region from a historical perspective and based on data available from various secondary sources. The purpose is to provide evidence that allows for an understanding of several of the myths and realities of Catatumbo, in a way that can inform public policy discussions in the region.

Catatumbo is a region historically marked by violence, with precarious living conditions, low value-added generation, and a high presence of illicit crops.