Uneasy calm returns to Colombia’s violence-hit Santa Marta

Santa Marta, a Colombian city known for its tourist allure, returned to a semblance of normalcy on Wednesday following a surge in drug-gang violence. The city, which is frequented by tourists, was observed to be generally calm but remained tense as stores, schools, and drivers largely avoided public spaces. The unrest was triggered by the killing of a key gang member by security forces, following the assassination of the group's second-in-command by the newly elected right-wing president, Abelardo de la Espriella.

De la Espriella, known for his tough stance against Colombia's drug-trafficking groups, swiftly deployed troops to Santa Marta to maintain order. He personally visited the city, dressed in military attire, to oversee the security operation. The Colombian mayor of Santa Marta, Carlos Pinedo, revealed that approximately 500 soldiers and 600 police officers were deployed to ensure the city's security.

The city had anticipated potential violence due to a recent announcement by President de la Espriella, who claimed that his security forces had killed 13 ACSN narcoterrorists in an operation. However, Pinedo assured the public that the disturbances were minimal. Despite the calm, residents and business owners expressed apprehension and uncertainty due to rumors of a three-day curfew imposed by the gang.

Nine individuals were arrested following the violence that erupted on Tuesday. De la Espriella, who narrowly won the presidential run-off as a law-and-order candidate, has been known to use military force to break off peace talks with armed groups, including the ACSN, which was previously involved in talks led by his predecessor Gustavo Petro.