On Monday, Colombia’s delegation in peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) condemned an armed strike that confines civilians to their homes and restricts commercial activity.
The Strike
The ELN said its latest armed strike would last until 6 a.m. local time (1100 GMT) Wednesday. The strike is aimed at rural communities, where the guerrilla group has been active since the 1960s.
Rebel Justification
In a statement published Friday, the rebels cited the Trump administration’s “neocolonial plans” to “sack” Latin America’s natural resources as the reason for the strike. The announcement came a day after the Trump administration seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, a tanker that had been sanctioned in 2022 for alleged oil smuggling on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Human Rights Impact
Colombia’s human rights ombudswoman reported that during the armed strike the ELN attacked an army base in Arauca and a police station in Norte de Santander. An ambulance driver was killed during the attack on the police station as both sides exchanged fire.
Peace Talks Status
Colombia suspended peace talks with the ELN in January after the group staged deadly attacks on villages in northeast Colombia, forcing more than 50,000 people to flee. Both sides still maintain peace delegations that have tried to resume talks.
Background
The ELN is Colombia’s second‑largest rebel group, with an estimated 6,000 fighters in Colombia and neighboring Venezuela. The group has been accused of running illegal gold mines and drug trafficking routes, and it supports Maduro’s authoritarian government. In 2016, Colombia made a peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that led to the disarmament of more than 13,000 fighters.
Key Takeaways
- The ELN’s armed strike is limited to rural areas and will end at 6 a.m. local time Wednesday.
- The rebels justify the strike by citing US actions and a seized oil tanker.
- Human rights officials report attacks on military sites and the death of an ambulance driver.
The strike highlights the ongoing tensions between the Colombian government and the ELN, even as peace negotiations remain stalled.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
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