What's happened
The ELN guerrilla group in Colombia has expressed willingness to negotiate post-elections, aiming to combat poverty and drug trafficking. Meanwhile, Colombia is increasing military pressure on the ELN amid US-Venezuela tensions following Maduro's arrest in the US, with threats of joint operations and border security measures.
What's behind the headline?
The recent statements from the ELN suggest a strategic shift towards negotiation, possibly driven by increased pressure from Colombia and the US. The US-Venezuela conflict, highlighted by Maduro's arrest, has intensified regional security concerns. Colombia's military buildup and border controls indicate a hardening stance, aiming to dismantle the ELN's operational capacity. This escalation risks further destabilizing the border region, with potential spillover effects into neighboring countries. The US's involvement signals a broader geopolitical contest over influence in Venezuela and Colombia, with the ELN caught in the crossfire. The group's future hinges on whether negotiations can resume or if military actions will dominate the landscape, likely leading to prolonged instability in the region.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that the ELN seeks post-election negotiations to address poverty and drug trafficking, while Colombian President Gustavo Petro emphasizes the group's need to cease drug activities and disband camps in Venezuela. AP News highlights Colombia's military deployment and border security measures, including the dispatch of 30,000 soldiers and emergency refugee support, amid US threats of further attacks. Both sources underscore regional tensions, with The Independent focusing on the ELN's political stance and AP News on the military response, illustrating the complex interplay of diplomacy and security in this volatile situation.
How we got here
The ELN, founded in the 1960s inspired by the Cuban revolution, has around 5,000 fighters in Colombia and Venezuela. Tensions escalated after the US captured Venezuela's former president Nicolás Maduro, who is accused of aiding the ELN in drug trafficking. Colombia suspended peace talks last year after a violent offensive, and now seeks to weaken the group amid regional instability.
Go deeper
Common question
-
What Does Maduro’s Capture Mean for Venezuela?
The recent arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sent shockwaves through the country and the international community. With widespread shortages, power outages, and ongoing instability, many are wondering what this development means for Venezuela's future. Will the country move towards chaos or find a path to stability? Here are the key questions and answers to understand the current crisis.
-
What is the ELN guerrilla group and why is it targeted now?
The ELN (National Liberation Army) is a Colombian guerrilla group that has been active since the 1960s. Recently, it has become a focus of regional security efforts due to increased tensions involving Colombia, the US, and Venezuela. Understanding who the ELN is and why it’s now a target helps clarify the current security situation in the region. Below, we explore key questions about the ELN, regional tensions, and what might come next.
More on these topics
-
Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many small islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea.
-
Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego is a Colombian politician, ex guerrilla member and a presidential candidate who previously served as mayor of Bogotá. A left-wing politician, Petro was a member of the revolutionary group M-19 in the 1980s.
-
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a transcontinental country largely in the north of South America, with territories in North America.