The principal crossing point from Venezuela into Colombia, the frontier city of Cúcuta, has seen rising levels of violence as it struggles to confront the growing strength of Venezuelan criminal groups.
It is an election year in Venezuela, and President Nicolás Maduro is determined to cling to power. His criminal alliances will be crucial for the survival of his regime.
Given that the Satanás gang has proven it can operate effectively from within Colombian prisons, locking up more members is unlikely to curtail the group’s activities.
Despite growing concerns among residents, experts said the Gaitanistas and Tren de Aragua both lack the foothold to wage all-out war and that a dramatic rise in insecurity would be unlikely.
When Duque attended a security meeting in Arauca to discuss security, ELN members appeared openly on the streets of Arauquita, a town not far from the meeting, making a mockery of the administration's efforts.