Thousands have fled clashes between armed groups on the border with Venezuela, dashing hopes of peace in Colombia.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro recently ended peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN), one of the armed groups involved in the fighting, saying it had "no will for peace". View on euron

The National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas are targeting community leaders and former members of a separate rebel group in the northeastern Catatumbo region, Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez said on Sunday,

More than 8,000 civilians fled the violence, with many seeking shelter in government facilities or hiding in the mountains.

The death toll from attacks by ELN rebels in Colombia has risen to 60 in the country's restive Catatumbo region near the border with Venezuela, officials said Saturday. Around 60 people have been killed across Catatumbo,