At least two soldiers were killed and 26 wounded in an attack attributed to the National Liberation Army (ELN) against a military base in Port Jordan, Colombiaauthorities said. The attack occurred amid a deep crisis in peace negotiations with the guerrillas.
The President Gustavo Petroat an event at the presidential headquarters, regretted the incident, stating that “it is practically an action that closes a peace process with blood.” However, he did not offer further details on the matter.
The attack occurred in the early morning, when the ELN war front launched improvised explosives from a dump truck towards the military base, according to the Colombian Army report. After the attack, the Ministry of Defense confirmed the death of two soldiers, Julian Patino y Bairon Correawho did not survive. Five other soldiers are in critical condition, while 21 are out of danger.
In response, Defense Minister Iván Velásquez condemned the events and reaffirmed the resumption of the military offensive against the ELN, temporarily suspended after the ceasefire that began in 2023. The guerrillas had abandoned the ceasefire at the beginning of August, citing “non-compliance” by the government with the agreements reached in the talks held in Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico.
This attack worsens the situation in Arauca, a strategic area for the guerrillas due to its proximity to Venezuela. In addition, the armed forces noted that the ELN could be behind other recent attacks.
Tensions in the peace negotiations are escalating as the government of Petro, the first president of left in Colombia, seeks to defuse an armed conflict that has been active for six decades.
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2024-09-23 01:25:26