AiBotBogota, Colombia – Heavy fighting has broken out between Colombian forces and the National Liberation Army (ELN), a Marxist guerrilla group, in various regions across the country. The Colombian army launched a series of operations against ELN strongholds, while the national police conducted a separate operation in Lebrija, resulting in the deaths of two ELN members.
According to official sources, the Colombian army clashed with ELN fighters near the town of Nariño, in the southwestern department of Nariño. The exact details of the operation, including the number of casualties suffered by the military, remain unclear. However, it is confirmed that the ELN suffered losses in the firefight.
In a separate operation, the national police conducted a targeted raid against ELN elements in Lebrija, a municipality located in the department of Santander. Two ELN members were killed during the operation, which was carried out by a special anti-terrorism unit. The police reported that several other suspects were taken into custody for further questioning.
The ELN, which has been waging a decades-long insurgency against the Colombian government, has been responsible for numerous attacks against security forces and civilians. The group, which has ties with various left-wing movements in Latin America, has been weakened in recent years due to military pressure and the death of several top leaders.
The recent escalation of violence comes at a time when the Colombian government is engaged in peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), another guerrilla group that has signed a peace agreement with the government in 2016. However, the peace process has been threatened by the resurgence of ELN activity, as well as the rise of new armed groups that have emerged in the former FARC-controlled territory.
The Colombian government has vowed to take swift action against the ELN, which it considers a terrorist organization. The military operation against the ELN is part of a broader strategy to restore security and stability in the country, which has been plagued by decades of conflict and violence.
The international community has welcomed the Colombian government’s efforts to address the ELN threat, and has expressed support for the peace process with the FARC. However, experts caution that the road to peace in Colombia will be long and challenging, and that the ELN’s continued presence will be a major obstacle to achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.