Colombia: President Orders Attack on ELN Rebels

The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, has ordered security forces to attack the ELN rebel organization. He also called on citizens in areas controlled by the ELN to defy their orders to stay in their homes.

President Petro stated via X that he ordered security forces to "attack" the ELN and to "defend the population against any threat." He also called on citizens to ignore the rebels' calls and celebrate Christmas "without fear."

The ELN has declared a three-day restriction on the population in zones where cocaine is produced. The ELN (National Liberation Army), a far-left organization founded in 1964, is estimated to have approximately 5,800 members and operates in over 20% of Colombian municipalities.

The Colombian army announced that it had prevented three attempts by the ELN to carry out bombing attacks in the departments of Norte de Santander and Cauca.

President Petro had attempted to negotiate with the ELN to end its activities, but the talks ended in January after attacks by the organization that resulted in over 100 deaths near the border with Venezuela.