Attack on Colombian Military Base Leaves Two Soldiers Dead Amid Escalating Tensions with Rebel Group ELN

An attack on a military base in eastern Colombia resulted in the tragic deaths of two soldiers and left at least 21 others injured, Colombia’s military reported on Tuesday. This violent escalation comes as tensions rise between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), one of the country’s largest remaining rebel groups. The ELN has been expanding its influence into rural areas previously controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which signed a peace agreement with the government in 2016.

Petro’s Total Peace Policy Struggles: A Closer Look

President Gustavo Petro, who took office two years ago, prioritized peace talks with the ELN and smaller armed groups under his “total peace” policy. However, negotiations have faltered, with the ELN continuing kidnappings and imposing taxes on civilians in the territories it controls. Adding to the tension, the ELN expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s efforts to start separate peace talks with a breakaway faction of the group in southwestern Colombia.

Cease-fire Collapse and Renewed Violence

The cease-fire between the government and the ELN, which expired at the end of August, was not renewed, leading to an increase in attacks by the rebel group. The ELN has since targeted military installations and vital oil infrastructure in Colombia’s volatile Arauca province. The recent attack in Puerto Jordán, where homemade rockets were launched from a cargo truck parked near a military base, is part of this surge in violence.

Government’s Response and Threatened Peace Talks

Following the attack, Colombia’s defense ministry vowed on X (formerly Twitter) to restore stability in Arauca province with “firmness and resolve.” The Colombian military blamed the ELN for the attack, while President Gustavo Petro suggested that this violent incident could lead to the suspension or cancellation of peace talks.

“This is an attack that practically closes a peace process, with blood,” Petro remarked during a public event, signaling the potential end of negotiations with the ELN.

History of the ELN and the Ongoing Conflict

The ELN, formed in the early 1960s by union leaders and students inspired by the Cuban Revolution, is estimated to have around 6,000 fighters stationed in Colombia and Venezuela. The group finances its operations through drug trafficking and control over illegal gold mines. Despite ongoing peace talks aimed at ending over five decades of conflict, the ELN’s violent actions have significantly impeded progress, making the group’s future relationship with the Colombian government uncertain.

As both sides evaluate their next steps, the prospects for peace remain fragile, reflecting the deep-seated complexities of Colombia’s long-standing conflict.