A United Nations envoy is urging restraint amid a tense standoff in Colombia between security forces and farmers who this week expelled police allegedly under pressure from leftist rebels, according to AP.

Hundreds of riot police were deployed Saturday to El Mango in southwestern Colombia four days after a mob burned down a makeshift barracks and demanded that a small police contingent leave.

Authorities blamed the expulsion on civilians coerced by members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Todd Howland, the U.N.'s human rights envoy to Colombia, said late Saturday that residents say they fear the return of security forces could put them in harm's way if the military and rebels step up combat.

Howland says more confrontations could put civilians at risk following the rebels' recent suspension of their cease-fire.