Colombia’s ELN Guerrilla Group Threatens Total War Amid Rising Violence

The ELN guerrilla group has declared its intent to resist government military actions in northeastern Colombia, asserting that President Petro’s peace initiative is disintegrating into total war. Recent clashes have resulted in significant displacement and casualties. The violence is exacerbated by territorial disputes over lucrative cocaine trafficking routes, contributing to an increased resurgence of conflict in the region.

The National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombia’s leftist guerilla group, has vowed to resist the government’s military offensives in northeastern regions, warning that President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” initiative is deteriorating into conflict. Engaging in intense battles with rival factions, the ELN has intensified violence, resulting in nearly 56,000 people displaced and at least 76 fatalities since January, marking one of the worst escalations in Colombia since the 2016 peace accord with the FARC.

In response to the violence, President Petro’s administration has declared a state of emergency and deployed 10,000 troops to the area to restore order. Ricardo, a leader of the ELN’s northeastern front, stated, “Petro has declared war. We are not afraid of that,” emphasizing their readiness to defend themselves as an insurgent force. The dynamics surrounding these confrontations indicate a severe resurgence of armed conflict in the region.

The violence is primarily fueled by disputes over territory and control of lucrative cocaine trafficking routes into Venezuela, with the ELN entrenched in coca production areas. While authorities suspect collaboration between the ELN and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, the group disputes active involvement in drug trafficking, claiming instead to levy taxes on coca cultivation to fund its operations. Critics note that the government’s perceived leniency has enabled dissident factions to regroup, jeopardizing Petro’s peace strategy.

These escalating clashes highlight the vulnerability of Colombia’s peace initiatives. Armed groups continue to compete for power over illegal economies, and the United Nations reported a 420 percent rise in coca cultivation since 2012. Although the ELN expresses willingness for dialogue, its leaders reaffirm their commitment to defending their territory, setting the stage for further escalation in this volatile region.

In summary, the conflict marked by the ELN’s resistance to government forces signifies a critical juncture in Colombia’s peace efforts, overshadowed by an alarming resurgence in violence linked to drug trafficking disputes. The state’s military response, the entrenched positions of the ELN, and the broader implications for peace initiatives all indicate a precarious path ahead as Colombia grapples with its longstanding challenges surrounding armed conflict and illegal economies.

Original Source: www.firstpost.com