Colombia’s ELN Guerrilla Group Declares Resistance Amid Government Offensive

The ELN has vowed to resist the Colombian government’s military offensive, claiming that President Petro’s peace initiative is deteriorating into total war. The ongoing violence due to territorial disputes and cocaine trafficking raises concerns about the fragility of peace efforts in Colombia and could lead to further escalations in conflict.

The National Liberation Army (ELN) of Colombia has expressed its intention to resist government military actions, asserting that President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” initiative is deteriorating into renewed conflict. This leftist guerrilla group, which has been active for over sixty years, has been engaged in intense combat with a rival armed faction in the Catatumbo border area, leading to significant violence.

Since January, clashes in the region have displaced nearly 56,000 individuals and resulted in at least 76 fatalities, according to government statistics. This surge in violence represents some of the most severe unrest Colombia has experienced since the peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2016. In response, President Petro declared a state of emergency and deployed 10,000 troops to regain control of the area.

Commanders of the ELN have openly declared they will defend themselves against the military, with a leader from their northeastern faction stating, “Petro has declared war. We are not afraid of that.” He emphasized that the group’s resolve to defend itself signals an impending confrontation, criticizing the perceived contradiction in Petro’s policies as evolving from “total peace” to “total war.”

The ongoing violence is fueled by disputes over territory and control of cocaine trafficking routes into Venezuela. The ELN operates in a major coca production zone, which serves as a vital link for drug shipments to the Caribbean and global markets. While authorities accuse the group of collaboration with the Sinaloa Cartel from Mexico, the ELN denies direct drug trafficking involvement, instead claiming to levy “taxes” on coca production to fund its operations.

These renewed hostilities pose a severe threat to President Petro’s peace strategy aimed at negotiating with remaining armed groups. Critics contend that the leniency shown towards dissident factions allowed them to reorganize and further their criminal activities, exacerbating instability. The recent skirmishes reveal the precarious nature of peace efforts in Colombia, particularly in light of the United Nations reporting a 420 percent increase in coca cultivation since 2012.

Despite the ELN’s professed willingness for dialogue, its leadership maintains a stance of self-defense, indicating a potential escalation in the conflict. The Colombian government is focused on reasserting its authority, preparing for a prolonged confrontation in one of the country’s most dangerous regions.

In summary, the ELN’s resistance to the Colombian government’s military actions underscores the delicate balance of peace efforts in the country. The resurgence of violence amidst territorial disputes and drug trafficking issues poses significant challenges to President Petro’s peace initiative. As both sides prepare for potential confrontations, the possibility of a protracted conflict looms, threatening the stability of the region.

Original Source: www.firstpost.com