The Colombian government's peace negotiation delegation has strongly condemned an 'armed strike' imposed by the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group. The strike, which began this week, is a protest against the United States military's increased naval presence in the Caribbean region.
What is the ELN's Armed Strike?
An 'armed strike' enforced by the ELN is a coercive measure that severely restricts civilian life. During such actions, the Marxist guerrilla group, active since the 1960s, orders communities to remain indoors and forces the closure of shops and public transport. Schools in areas under their influence are shut down. Civilians who defy these orders face death threats.
The Colombian delegation, in a statement issued on Monday, criticized the move, stating it unfairly targets the nation's own rural populations. "A protest against the actions of the U.S. government that is geared towards communities lacks any sense whatsoever," the delegation said. They emphasized that the strike's impact is felt solely by Colombian villagers.
Root Causes and Regional Tensions
The ELN justified its latest action, scheduled to last until 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday, by citing what it calls the Trump administration's 'neocolonial plans' to exploit Latin America's natural resources. This announcement came shortly after a significant regional escalation.
On Friday, the U.S. seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The vessel, sanctioned in 2022 for allegedly smuggling oil for Iran's Revolutionary Guard, was carrying over a million barrels of crude bound for Cuba. Washington's move is part of its escalating pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom it accuses of drug trafficking.
The ELN, which has an estimated 6,000 fighters in Colombia and Venezuela, is a known supporter of Maduro's authoritarian government. The group has been accused of controlling illegal gold mines and drug routes in both nations.
Violence and Stalled Peace Process
The human rights ombudswoman of Colombia reported that during the armed strike, ELN rebels attacked an army base in Arauca province and a police station in Norte de Santander province. Tragically, an ambulance driver was killed in the crossfire during the assault on the police station.
This violence further complicates an already fragile peace process. Colombia suspended formal talks with the ELN in January after the rebels launched deadly attacks on villages in the northeast, displacing more than 50,000 people. Although both sides maintain delegations, efforts to resume negotiations have so far failed.
President Gustavo Petro's administration has attempted to engage the ELN and other armed groups in peace talks over the past three years, offering ceasefires as incentives. However, critics argue these truces have allowed rebels to recruit more fighters and consolidate power in rural territories vacated by the FARC, which disarmed after a historic 2016 peace deal.
