Colombians flee to Venezuela as clashes between rebel groups escalate in coca-rich border region [Video]

By Fernando Vergara And Manuel Rueda The Associated Press

TRES BOCAS, Colombia (AP) — The Colombian border village of Tres Bocas has become a ghost town as residents flee to neighboring Venezuela to escape a new wave of violence in Colombia’s Catatumbo region that has left at least 80 people dead and displaced thousands.

According to the United Nations, more than 18,000 people have fled the northeastern region as fighting between the National Liberation Army or ELN, and a rival group known as the FARC-EMC intensifies. Of those who had fled, about 1,000 have sought shelter in Venezuela.