This video of dissent in Tibú is not recent, it is from 2022 in the Duque government

A video circulating on social media showing members of the Front 33, a dissident group of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), patrolling near the municipal hall of Tibú in northern Santander has been widely shared with claims that it was recorded under President Gustavo Petro’s administration. However, the footage actually dates back to July 2022, during the presidency of Iván Duque. The video shows armed men claiming they are providing security to residents of Tibú and has been falsely labeled as recent evidence of ongoing conflict in the region. The clip originally surfaced online on July 14, 2022, according to records found by fact-checking organizations. At that time, national media reported that members of the Front 33 were conducting armed patrols near the local government building. Then Defense Minister Diego Molano condemned the incident and called on the National Army to increase its presence in the municipality. The footage has since resurfaced multiple times, often accompanied by misleading captions suggesting it reflects current tensions under Petro’s leadership. The content has been further amplified by posts describing the situation as urgent or alarming, with some messages criticizing the current government. These claims have been debunked by experts who traced the origins of the video to 2022, well before Petro took office. The National Army confirmed this through a post on its X account, stating that the footage was taken in 2022 and had no connection to recent developments. Tibú, located in the Catatumbo region of northern Santander, is known for its vast coca cultivation areas, which are frequently contested by both the ELN and FARC dissidents. The presence of armed groups in the area is not new, with reports indicating that such activities began as early as 2021. Insight Crime, a Latin American organization focused on crime and security issues, documented the presence of Front 33 members in bars and clubs in Tibú as far back as July 2022. Front 33 itself is a relatively young and weakened faction of the FARC. It signed a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the government in 2023. However, beginning in early 2025, the group clashed with the ELN in the Catatumbo region, leading to the voluntary demobilization of over 100 fighters and triggering an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Despite efforts by President Gustavo Petro to establish a Temporary Location Zone (ZUT) in Tibú last year, the ongoing conflicts have prevented its implementation. The resurgence of the video highlights how misinformation can distort public perception of current events. Fact-checkers such as Colombia Check and AFP Factual have verified that the footage is not recent and does not reflect current conditions in Tibú. This underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing it, especially in regions affected by ongoing violence and political instability. The situation in Tibú illustrates broader challenges faced by the Colombian government in maintaining security and stability in conflict-prone areas. With multiple armed groups vying for control over resources and territory, the potential for renewed violence remains high. Efforts to implement peace agreements and create safe zones continue to face obstacles due to persistent clashes and lack of trust among different factions. The continued circulation of outdated footage serves as a reminder of the need for accurate reporting and verification in journalism, particularly in contexts where misinformation can exacerbate existing tensions. As the situation evolves, the focus will remain on resolving conflicts and ensuring the safety of civilians in vulnerable regions like Tibú.