On 18 March 2025, in Las Animas (Antioquia), an unspecified number of suspected members of an armed group shot and killed two optometrists who had been conducting eye exams for the local population that day. It is suspected that the health workers had not received authorization from the armed group to perform those tests. 2 fatalities.

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

1) Summary On March 18, 2025, an armed group killed two optometrists who were conducting eye examinations for local residents in Las Animas, Antioquia, Colombia. The medical personnel are believed to have performed medical activities without prior permission from the armed group, representing a high-risk incident that demonstrates the strengthening control of armed groups over civilians in Colombia.

2) Supply-chain impact

• Medical and pharmaceutical supply chain contraction: Strengthened armed group control over medical personnel and medical equipment transportation in Antioquia may cause additional constraints on medical supplies and pharmaceutical distribution networks
• Agricultural and mining workforce instability: As Antioquia is a major agricultural region for coffee, bananas and other key crops as well as gold mining areas, increased armed group activity raises concerns about the safety of local farm and mine operators, potentially disrupting production
• Increased land transportation risks: Expanded risk of armed groups controlling passage and collecting taxes on logistics movements within Antioquia, including the major land transportation axis between Medellin and Bogota
• Humanitarian assistance activity constraints: NGO and international organization local support activities transitioning to armed group permit systems may delay emergency relief supply deliveries

3) Watch points

• Additional cases of armed group attacks against civilians within Antioquia and whether threats against medical personnel and NGO activists are increasing
• Business activity suspensions or employee evacuations in Medellin and surrounding industrial areas, particularly security enhancement measures by international companies