Displacements in Colombia accounted for the vast majority. The government reported a total of 3.9 million displaced persons while the Observatory on Human Rights and Displacement estimated that the total reached as high as 5.3 million. (These are cumulative figures, not displacements in 2011 alone.)
Mass displacements occurred across the country when former military groups, now operating as drug-trafficking gangs, fought amongst themselves, forcefully took over territory for smuggling, recruited children, or simply forced people out of their homes to flex their muscles, the Christian Science Monitor reports.
The situation was similar in Mexico, albeit on a much smaller scale. The IDMC reports 160,000 displaced persons, many of whom fled their homes in the wake (or threat) of violent drug cartels.
In Guatemala and Peru, the situation was less clear, but the IDMC states that the displaced persons were primarily a result of their nations’ internal conflicts, 13 and 10 years ago, respectively.
The Christian Science Monitor reports that in Guatemala, violent criminal organizations like the Zetas are causing new displacement of residents and that palm oil companies are taking over massive land tracts for their plantations through the intimidation of farmers.
Government responses have been mild and insufficient, concluded the IDMC report. Colombia passed a “Victim’s Law” in 2010 to provide remedies and land restitution to those displaced by the armed conflict. But justice is hard won in the land of drug smugglers: 21 people were killed in association with that law.
In Mexico, the government drafted a bill on internal displacement in support of aid agencies and civil society organizations. If passed, it will be the first legislation on displacement in the country.
