The ELN has pledged to resist the Colombian government’s military operations, claiming that President Petro’s peace strategy is failing. Recent violence has displaced thousands, while disputes over cocaine trafficking routes intensify conflict. The situation poses significant challenges to ongoing peace efforts, indicating a potential escalation of hostilities in Colombia’s northeastern regions.
The National Liberation Army (ELN) has asserted its commitment to resist the Colombian government’s military offensive, cautioning that President Gustavo Petro’s ambition for “total peace” is deteriorating into renewed conflict. The ELN, which has operated for over sixty years, is engaged in fierce skirmishes with a rival armed faction in northeastern Colombia, specifically in the Catatumbo border region.
Data from the government indicates that violent confrontations since January have resulted in the displacement of nearly 56,000 individuals and at least 76 fatalities, marking some of the most severe disturbances since the 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). In response, President Petro’s administration has instituted a state of emergency and mobilized 10,000 troops to restore order in the affected areas.
Ricardo, a leader within the ELN’s northeastern faction, openly declared, “Petro has declared war. We are not afraid of that,” adding, “If the military continues to arrive, most likely we will have a confrontation, because we are going to defend ourselves as an insurgent force.” He further warned that the ideal of “total peace” promoted by the president is transforming into a scenario of total warfare.
The ongoing violence is primarily fueled by battles over territory and control of lucrative cocaine trafficking routes into Venezuela. The ELN maintains a stronghold in regions pivotal for coca cultivation, which plays a significant role in cocaine production. This area also serves as a vital transit point for drug shipments heading towards global markets.
While authorities accuse the ELN of collaborating with Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, the group refutes allegations of direct involvement in drug trafficking. Instead, the ELN claims to levy “taxes” on coca production within their territories to sustain their operations. The resurgence of conflict jeopardizes Petro’s overarching peace initiative, which sought negotiations with lingering armed factions.
Critics contend that leniencies afforded to dissident groups have allowed them to regroup and amplify their criminal activities, further escalating instability. The recent clashes have underscored the tenuous nature of Colombia’s peace initiatives, evidenced by a staggering 420 percent rise in coca cultivation reported by the United Nations since 2012.
Despite the ELN’s professed willingness to engage in dialogue, the group’s leadership remains adamant about defending their territorial claims, indicating a potential for increased hostilities. The government’s resolve to reclaim control sets a concerning precedent for prolonged confrontation in one of Colombia’s most unstable regions.
In summary, Colombia’s ELN has publicly vowed to resist government military efforts, framing President Petro’s peace initiative as a descent into total warfare. The violence surrounding drug trafficking routes signifies a critical challenge to the peace process, leading to mass displacement and fatalities. Both parties appear poised for escalating conflict as control over illicit economies remains fiercely contested.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
