The ELN has vowed to resist government military efforts in northeastern Colombia, amidst escalating violence linked to cocaine trafficking routes. Nearly 56,000 people have been displaced, and ongoing clashes threaten President Gustavo Petro’s peace initiative, which is facing criticism and increasing instability in the region, raising concerns about renewed conflict.

Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) has declared its intention to resist the government’s military offensive in northeastern Colombia, asserting that President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” initiative is deteriorating into renewed conflict. The ELN, an established leftist guerrilla group for over sixty years, is embroiled in intense clashes with a rival armed faction in the Catatumbo border area, resulting in significant violence and disruption to civilian life.

Since January, nearly 56,000 individuals have been displaced and at least 76 reported fatalities due to ongoing hostilities, representing some of the most severe violence witnessed in Colombia since the 2016 peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). In reaction to these events, President Petro’s administration has instituted a state of emergency and mobilized 10,000 troops to reassert governmental authority in the troubled region.

Ricardo, a leader of the ELN’s northeastern war front, stated, “Petro has declared war. We are not afraid of that,” emphasizing the group’s commitment to self-defense amid increasing military presence. He further remarked, “This total peace that Petro has been talking about, in the end, it is becoming total war.”

The ongoing violence is primarily fueled by disputes over territory and control of lucrative cocaine trafficking routes extending into Venezuela. The ELN’s stronghold serves as a significant coca production area and a vital access point for drug shipments destined for the international market. Although authorities accuse the ELN of working with Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, the group refutes direct involvement in drug trafficking, claiming instead to levy “taxes” on local cocaine production to support its operations.

This resurgence of violence jeopardizes President Petro’s notable peace initiative, which was designed to engage remaining armed factions in negotiations. Critics contend that these dissident groups have exploited governmental leniency to regroup and enhance their criminal activities, further destabilizing the region. Moreover, the renewed clashes underscore the fragility of Colombia’s peace endeavors, with armed groups vying for domination over illicit markets and contributing to a drastic increase in coca cultivation, which has surged by 420 percent since 2012, as per United Nations reports.

Despite proclaiming a willingness for dialogue, ELN commanders maintain their resolve to protect their territories, indicating a potential for continued escalation. The Colombian government, determined to restore control, sets the stage for an extended confrontation in one of the nation’s most turbulent regions.

In summary, the ELN’s declaration of resistance to government military action underscores the escalating violence in northeastern Colombia, threatening the fragile peace established by previous accords. As territorial disputes over cocaine trafficking routes intensify, significant repercussions for national stability and safety are anticipated. President Petro’s peace initiative faces critical challenges amid accusations of factional exploitation, leading to a complex landscape of renewed conflict and instability.

Original Source: www.firstpost.com

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