At least 39 people have died in violence involving the left-wing National Liberation Army (ELN) near Colombia’s border with Venezuela, leading the Colombian government to halt peace negotiations with the group. President Gustavo Petro paused the already faltering talks, accusing the ELN of committing “war crimes” amid the new wave of violence.
In two separate incidents, ELN fighters targeted both a rival left-wing group and a powerful right-wing paramilitary gang, dashing hopes for any voluntary disarmament. In North Santander, 30 people were killed, and 20 others injured when ELN fighters attacked members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissidents in several villages. In nearby Bolivar, nine more were killed in clashes between ELN fighters and the Clan del Golfo, a right-wing paramilitary group turned drug trafficking gang.
The ELN fighters reportedly went “house to house” searching for those linked to FARC dissidents, leading to displacement and fear among local communities. One coca grower, Jose del Carmen Abril, revealed that he had been targeted four times by the guerrillas, who later issued a death ultimatum to his community.
The violence is tied to territorial disputes over control of coca plantations, a key source of cocaine that fuels the global drug trade. Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president, had linked his political future to his “Total Peace” policy, which aims to negotiate with armed groups. However, he expressed frustration with the ELN’s refusal to make peace, suspending the ongoing dialogue.
The situation is complicated by the ELN’s connections with Venezuela, with analysts noting that the group’s alliance with President Nicolas Maduro’s government could further complicate peace efforts. With Colombia’s armed forces struggling to regain control of the region, the situation remains a serious security concern.
