Colombia’s ELN Guerrilla Group Declares Resistance Amid Renewed Conflict
The ELN has announced resistance against a military offensive in northeastern Colombia, arguing that President Petro’s peace initiative is unraveling. The clashes, driven by cocaine trafficking disputes, have led to significant violence and displacement. The government has responded with military deployment and a state of emergency, aiming to regain control as the ELN maintains its stance, highlighting the ongoing fragility of peace efforts in the region.
Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) has vowed to confront the government’s military offensive, asserting that President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” initiative is deteriorating into renewed conflict. The ELN, which has been active for 60 years, is currently engaged in fierce clashes with a rival armed group in northeastern Colombia’s Catatumbo border region. These skirmishes have resulted in the displacement of approximately 56,000 individuals and have claimed at least 76 lives since January, marking some of the most severe violence since the 2016 peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
In light of the escalating situation, the Petro administration has declared a state of emergency and deployed 10,000 troops to restore order in the affected areas. A leader of the ELN’s northeastern war front, Ricardo, stated, “Petro has declared war. We are not afraid of that,” indicating their readiness to resist the military’s advances. He further added, “This total peace that Petro has been talking about, in the end, it is becoming total war.”
The ongoing violence is primarily fueled by territorial disputes and the competition for control over lucrative cocaine trafficking routes into Venezuela, a crucial area for coca production. While authorities have accused the ELN of links to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, the group denies any direct involvement in drug trafficking. Instead, it maintains that it collects “taxes” on cocaine production within its territories to finance its activities.
This resurgence of violence poses a serious threat to President Petro’s peace strategy, which aims to negotiate with remaining armed groups. Critics contend that the government’s leniency has allowed dissident factions to reorganize and expand their criminal enterprises, exacerbating instability. The UN has reported a staggering 420 percent increase in coca cultivation since 2012, highlighting the ongoing struggles surrounding Colombia’s peace efforts. Despite the ELN’s professed willingness to engage in dialogue, its leaders assert their commitment to maintaining territorial control, implying a potential for further conflicts in one of Colombia’s most volatile regions.
The situation exemplifies the delicate state of Colombia’s peace initiatives as various armed factions continue to contend for dominance within illicit markets, making the landscape highly unpredictable and dangerous. As the government seeks to reassert authority, the prospects for an enduring resolution appear increasingly elusive.
Colombia’s ELN has declared its intent to resist government military offensives, claiming that President Petro’s peace efforts are devolving into war. The violence, spurred by competition over cocaine trafficking routes, has resulted in significant displacement and casualties. While the government moves to restore order, the continuing conflict underscores the challenges facing peace in Colombia, with armed groups vying for control over lucrative markets, leaving the situation highly precarious.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
