I. Introduction: Violence as a Constant Reality 
Colombia remains scarred by decades of armed conflict and drug-related violence. Despite peace accords with guerrilla groups like the FARC, the persistence of dissident factions, paramilitary organisations, and powerful drug cartels continues to destabilise the nation. For ordinary Colombians, daily life is defined by threats of extortion, forced displacement, and targeted killings. As violence spreads across both rural and urban areas, thousands are compelled to flee, seeking safety and stability abroad. 

II. Legacy of Armed Conflict 
Colombia’s armed conflict, which lasted more than half a century, left deep scars on its society. The 2016 peace accord with the FARC was a milestone, but it did not end violence altogether. Dissident groups, ELN guerrillas, and paramilitary organisations remain active, competing for control of territories and resources. These groups continue to target civilians, perpetuating cycles of fear and displacement. 

III. Drug Cartels and Organised Crime 
Drug cartels remain among the most powerful actors in Colombia. Their control of cocaine production and trafficking routes fuels violence, corruption, and insecurity. Communities in coca-growing regions face forced recruitment, extortion, and violent reprisals, leaving them with little choice but to abandon their homes. 

IV. Rural Communities Caught in Crossfire 
Rural communities bear the brunt of armed conflict and cartel violence. Farmers are often displaced as armed groups seize land for coca cultivation or strategic purposes. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities are especially vulnerable, as they are frequently caught in crossfires or deliberately targeted. The result is mass displacement and destruction of traditional livelihoods. 

V. Urban Violence and Extortion 
Urban areas are not spared from cartel and gang violence. In major cities, organised crime networks control neighbourhoods through extortion and intimidation. Small businesses, transport operators, and families are forced to pay protection money under threat of death, creating a climate of constant insecurity. 

VI. Targeted Killings of Activists 
Colombia has one of the highest rates of killings of human rights defenders in the world. Activists advocating for land reform, environmental protection, or indigenous rights are frequently assassinated by armed groups or criminal organisations. These targeted killings not only silence critical voices but also push entire communities to flee for safety. 

VII. Gender-Based Violence in Conflict 
Women and girls face heightened risks in Colombia’s violent landscape. Sexual violence is used as a weapon of intimidation by armed groups and cartels. Gender-based violence, combined with poverty and displacement, leaves women particularly vulnerable and frequently compels them to migrate with their families. 

VIII. State Weakness and Corruption 
Despite efforts to restore order, the Colombian state struggles to assert authority in many regions. Corruption within security forces and local governments allows armed groups to operate with impunity. For citizens living in contested or cartel-dominated territories, trust in state institutions remains almost non-existent. 

IX. Forced Displacement 
Colombia has one of the largest internally displaced populations in the world. Entire families abandon their homes to escape conflict, often ending up in overcrowded shelters or impoverished urban settlements. When internal relocation fails, many choose to migrate abroad in search of safety and stability. 

X. Dangerous Migration Routes 
Colombians fleeing violence often undertake perilous migration routes. Some travel north through Central America toward the United States, facing dangers such as robbery, trafficking, and detention. Others seek refuge in neighbouring countries like Ecuador and Venezuela, despite those nations’ own instability. 

XI. The Role of the Colombian Diaspora 
Colombian diaspora communities provide vital support for new arrivals. They offer networks of solidarity, financial assistance, and advocacy for refugee rights. At the same time, they highlight the ongoing violence in Colombia, ensuring international awareness of the crisis. 

XII. Conclusion: Migration as an Act of Survival 
Armed conflict and cartel violence continue to devastate Colombia, leaving citizens with no safe space at home. Targeted killings, extortion, and forced displacement compel thousands to seek refuge abroad, where they hope to rebuild their lives free from fear. Until Colombia addresses the power of armed groups, corruption, and inequality, migration will remain the only path to survival for many of its people.