ELN Attack on Colombian Military Base Threatens Peace Talks

In a significant escalation of tensions, an attack on a military base in eastern Colombia has resulted in the death of two soldiers and injuries to at least 21 others. The incident, which occurred on 2024-09-17, has been attributed to the National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombia's largest remaining rebel group.

The assault took place in Puerto Jordan, a small town in Colombia's Arauca province. According to military reports, the ELN launched homemade rockets from a cargo truck parked near the base. This attack marks a severe blow to the ongoing peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the rebel group.

President Gustavo Petro, who was elected two years ago, expressed grave concern over the incident, stating, > "This is an attack that practically closes a peace process, with blood."

[[President Gustavo Petro]]

The ELN, founded in the early 1960s, has a long history of conflict with the Colombian government. Inspired by the Cuban Revolution, the group was established by union leaders and university students. Today, it is estimated to have around 6,000 fighters operating in Colombia and Venezuela.

Some key facts about the ELN include:

• It is Colombia's largest remaining rebel group
• The group's full name is Ejército de Liberación Nacional
• ELN was founded by university students, Catholic radicals, and left-wing intellectuals
• Its initial ideology combined Cuban revolutionary theory and liberation theology
• The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries

The recent attack comes after the expiration of a ceasefire between the government and ELN at the end of August 2024. Since then, the group has intensified its attacks on military targets and oil pipelines in Arauca province.

This escalation poses a significant challenge to President Petro's "total peace" policy, which aimed to negotiate with various armed groups. The ELN has been involved in multiple peace negotiations with the Colombian government since the 1990s, but progress has been hindered by the group's continued involvement in kidnappings, extortion, and attacks on economic infrastructure.

The Colombian Defense Ministry has vowed to act with "firmness and resolve" to restore security in Arauca province. As tensions rise, the future of peace talks remains uncertain, potentially prolonging a conflict that has lasted for more than five decades.