Colombian ELN Guerrillas Declare Potential for Escalation Amid Peace Efforts
Colombia’s ELN guerrilla group warns of significant violence as government troops mobilize, threatening a shift from peace to war. The ongoing conflict, exacerbated by territorial disputes and drug trafficking, has led to extensive displacement and fatalities. President Petro’s peace efforts face considerable challenges amidst growing complexities in the region.
Commanders from Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) have issued warnings regarding an impending escalation of violence as government forces prepare a counteroffensive in northeastern Colombia. They expressed their refusal to retreat against an estimated 10,000 troops gathered nearby, asserting that years of pursuing “total peace” are now veering towards “total war.” The ELN has been involved in a protracted insurgency against the Colombian government for over six decades, during which they have expanded their influence and intertwined with global drug trafficking networks.
Recent inter-group clashes, particularly with a rival faction known as the 33rd Front, have sparked significant violence, leading to the displacement of nearly 56,000 individuals and at least 76 casualties since January. These violent confrontations represent the worst turmoil Colombia has faced since the peace negotiations in 2016. In response to the escalating conflict, the government declared a state of emergency and dispatched additional military forces to the affected areas, with President Gustavo Petro asserting, “The ELN has chosen the path of war, and that is what they will get.”
In an interview at a clandestine setting, ELN commanders Ricardo and Silvana Guerrero maintained a readiness for dialogue but affirmed their commitment to armed resistance. “If the military continues to arrive, we will defend ourselves as an insurgent force,” Ricardo stated. This ongoing struggle is believed to be spurred by territorial disputes and competition over cocaine trafficking routes leading into Venezuela, crucial to the ELN’s operations.
Commander Silvana Guerrero, known as Luz Amanda Payares, refuted claims of direct drug trade involvement, mentioning that the group imposes taxes related to local coca production to sustain their economy, while insisting that their operations are protective rather than predatory. The national government links the ELN to the notorious Sinaloa Cartel, yet Silvana emphasizes their commitment to the communities they claim to protect.
The persistent violence has become a considerable challenge for President Petro’s administration, which has emphasized a policy of “total peace” intended to negotiate new accords with groups not associated with the 2016 peace process. Critics argue that such an approach has fortified dissident factions, as various armed groups vie for territorial control, thus exacerbating illegal activities and the area devoted to coca cultivation by 420% since 2012.
Despite the ELN’s professed openness to political resolutions, foreboding predictions from Commander Silvana indicate an imminent and intensified counteroffensive in the Catatumbo region. Ricardo dismissed demobilization attempts as mere “pacification,” stating that fundamental changes within the state are necessary for lasting peace. “We, together with the Colombian people, will continue our resistance until we achieve our objective,” he concluded.
The current situation in Colombia reflects a precarious balance between calls for peace and the resurgence of armed conflict. The threats posed by the ELN against governmental forces, coupled with territorial disputes and narcotrafficking, underline a complex crisis. President Petro’s strategies aimed at achieving peace are being tested, as violence persists and the fear of returning to a prolonged conflict looms large.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
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