The cases were spread across 14 departments of the country, with the Pacific region the most affected: the departments of Cauca, Valle del Cauca and Nariño accounted for 65 per cent of the injured and deceased. This rise has been driven by the increased use of explosive hazards as the hostilities have intensified. Civilians have been increasingly affected by these devices, especially launched explosives and controlled detonation devices. Of the total number of injuries and deaths recorded in 2024, 63 per cent were caused by these two types of devices and most of the victims were civilians.
In addition, the significant rise in the use of launched ramps, both in rural and urban areas, by means of use of unmanned aerial vehicles to drop improsived ammunition, sharpened people’s anxiety. This was especially the case for communities in departments where the impact of this type of device was greatest, such as Cauca, Arauca, Antioquia, Nariño and Norte de Santander.
Launched and drop explosives can cause superfluous and unnecessary damage, and directly affect civilians and civilian property, especially when the attacks are not sufficiently precise or no distinction is made between military targets and civilians. It is worth restating that, under humanitarian law, parties to armed conflicts must respect the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. Compliance with these principles is essential to protect civilians and minimize the effects of hostilities.
Not only did the impact of launched explosives and controlled detonation devices increase markedly last year, but anti-personnel mines and explosive remnants of war also did more damage. In fact, the number of people injured or killed by such devices rose by 42 per cent compared with 2023.
The data show that
all these types of device have serious consequences for civilians. Records show that in 2024, civilians accounted for 67 per cent of the deaths and injuries caused by these devices.
It is therefore clear that the situation is worsening and protecting communities is becoming very difficult. In 2024, we recorded accidents caused by explosive hazards in 78 municipalities of Colombia. In 39 of them, no accidents had been reported in the previous year. Moreover, for the first time in eight years, reports were received of people being hurt by these devices in the department of Amazonas. This shows that these devices are being used in new areas of the country.
*An example of launched explosives are “tatucos“, improvised weapons that are fired from an explosive ramp. Examples of controlled detonation devices are cylinder bombs and car bombs, which require remote or timed activation. Explosive remnants of war include munitions that were fired but did not detonate during the fighting and munitions that combatants abandoned.
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