Territorial Dynamics of Forced Displacement in the Magdalena Medio and Loba Zodes in Southern Bolívar, 2022–2025

Abstract

Forced displacement continues to be one of the main expressions of armed violence and territorial disputes in Colombia, particularly in strategic regions such as Southern Bolívar, where illegal economies, armed mobility corridors, and limited institutional capacities converge. This study aimed to analyze the territorial dynamics of forced displacement in the Magdalena Medio and Loba Zodes during the 2022–2025 period, identifying the main causes, recent transformations, and impacts on the civilian population. The research was developed through a mixed-methods approach with a descriptive-analytical scope, based on the review of official data from the Victims Unit, humanitarian reports, Early Warnings issued by the Ombudsman’s Office, and academic literature related to armed conflict and territorial analysis. The findings show that forced displacement in Southern Bolívar is not only a consequence of direct armed confrontations, but also of territorial control mechanisms linked to illegal economies, gold mining, confinement, threats, mobility restrictions, and disputes among illegal armed groups. Likewise, territorial differences were identified between both Zodes: while Magdalena Medio presents higher levels of armed confrontation, Loba is characterized by dynamics of social control and armed regulation over economic and community activities. Finally, the study concludes that forced displacement in these subregions constitutes a structural phenomenon associated with persistent territorial disputes and long-standing limitations in the institutional response.