Fighting intensifies in eastern Colombia; at least 16 killed

By MANUEL RUEDA and ASTRID SUAREZ
Associated Press

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian officials say at least 16 people were killed in Colombia this weekend and dozens had to flee their homes, as fighting between rebel groups intensified in the eastern state of Arauca. The new outbreak of violence marks a setback for Colombia’s government, which was able to bring down homicide rates in much of the country following a 2016 peace deal with the rebel group FARC, but is now struggling to control violence in rural pockets of the country where smaller rebel groups and drug trafficking organizations are fighting over smuggling routes, coca fields, illegal mines and other assets.