The Colombian government's human rights ombudsman said on Saturday the death toll from violence in the Catatumbo region had risen to 60, up from a previous tally of 30 from attacks by the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN).

President Gustavo Petro has accused the ELN of committing a war crime in the Thursday attacks, and have suspended peace talks with the group.

The ombudsman's office said in a post on social media that about 60 people have died violently, while 32 were kidnapped, and hundreds displaced.