Background on the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN)
The Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) is one of the oldest guerrilla groups in America, with a presence in over 20% of Colombia’s more than 1,100 municipalities, according to the Insight Crime research center. The group controls key regions for drug production, including the Catatumbo area on the border with Venezuela, which is one of the world’s leading zones for coca cultivation.
Trump’s Threats and ELN’s Response
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he does not rule out attacking Colombian territory to curb narcotráfico (drug trafficking). This has led to heightened tensions, especially in the Caribbean and Pacific regions where Washington is conducting a military offensive.
In response to these threats, the ELN issued a statement ordering civilians in their controlled regions to confine themselves for three days starting from Sunday. The guerrillas claim this is to conduct military exercises and counteract Trump’s “intervention threats.” They advise civilians not to mix with military personnel and avoid traveling on roads or navigable rivers from 6:00 local time (11:00 GMT) on Sunday until the same hour on Wednesday.
Colombia’s Defense Minister, Pedro Sánchez, dismissed the ELN’s “threat” as a “criminal constraint” and assured that security forces would be present “in every place, mountain, forest, and river” to maintain order.
ELN’s Accusations Against Trump
The ELN accuses Trump of having a “neocolonial plan” aiming to intensify the exploitation of Colombia’s natural resources. The group previously engaged in two-year peace negotiations with the government of former President Gustavo Petro, but these talks ended in January due to ongoing ELN attacks.
ELN’s Presence in Venezuela
Various studies suggest that the ELN operates across the border in Venezuela, allegedly in collaboration with the Venezuelan military forces. President Nicolás Maduro denies these claims.
Colombia-U.S. Diplomatic Tensions
The recent spat between Petro and Trump on social media has escalated diplomatic tensions between Colombia and the U.S., despite decades of amicable relations. Colombia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine, according to the United Nations.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN)? The ELN is one of the oldest guerrilla groups in America, with a significant presence in Colombia’s drug-producing regions.
- What are Trump’s threats against Colombia? Trump has warned that he does not rule out attacking Colombian territory to combat drug trafficking.
- How did the ELN respond to Trump’s threats? The ELN ordered civilians in their controlled regions to confine themselves for three days, claiming it was for military exercises to counteract Trump’s threats.
- What is the ELN’s relationship with Venezuela? There are allegations that the ELN operates in collaboration with Venezuelan military forces, though President Nicolás Maduro denies this.
- Why are Colombia and the U.S. experiencing diplomatic tensions? Recent public disagreements between former Colombian President Gustavo Petro and U.S. President Donald Trump on social media have strained relations between the two countries.
