The trigger for the deteriorating public order situation was the death last Monday—at the hands of the Army—of “Alias ​​Cholo,” the ACSN’s second-in-command and financier, along with six other members of the group.

Following the military operation, and in apparent retaliation, vehicles were set on fire, traffic blockades were reported on the *Troncal del Caribe* (the region’s most important highway corridor), and merchants were forced at gunpoint to close their businesses—not only in Santa Marta but also in neighboring municipalities.

President Abelardo de la Espriella decided to militarize the city streets in an attempt to restore security amidst an “armed strike”—a warning issued by outlaw groups telling citizens to refrain from opening businesses or traveling, under threat of intimidation or attack.

The mobility restrictions not only disrupted the shipment of goods between Santa Marta and La Guajira but also caused economic losses exceeding 70 billion pesos (21.38 million US dollars).

According to Senator Jennifer Pedraza, deploying troops to Santa Marta without a comprehensive strategy could intensify fighting and leave the civilian population more vulnerable.

“What is needed is intelligence, community protection, and action against drug trafficking, illegal economies, and territorial disputes. Without measures addressing the root causes, military force alone is not enough,” she stated on social media.

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