Colombian peace delegation condemns ELN strike action against US military buildup in Caribbean

Colombian Peace Process Stalled as ELN Rebels Impose “Armed Strike” Against U.S. Naval Presence

Colombia’s government peace negotiators issued a strong condemnation Monday against the National Liberation Army (ELN) for imposing an “armed strike” across rural communities. The Marxist guerrilla group’s three-day action, which restricts civilian movement and commercial activity until Wednesday morning, was reportedly launched in protest of increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean.

“A protest against the actions of the U.S. government that is geared towards communities lacks any sense whatsoever,” the Colombian government delegation said in a statement, highlighting that the consequences fall entirely on Colombian civilians rather than American interests.

The armed strike has already turned violent. Colombia’s human rights ombudswoman reported attacks by ELN rebels on an army base in Arauca province and a police station in Norte de Santander province, where an ambulance driver was killed during an exchange of gunfire.

ELN’s armed strikes typically force school closures in rebel-controlled areas, with shops and public transportation ordered to cease operations. Civilians who disobey these orders face death threats, effectively placing entire communities under temporary siege.

The guerrilla group justified its actions by citing what it called the Trump administration’s “neocolonial plans” to “sack” Latin America’s natural resources. The announcement came shortly after U.S. authorities seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast—a vessel previously sanctioned in 2022 for allegedly smuggling oil on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The ship was carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil purchased by Cuba.

This escalation highlights the complicated geopolitical landscape affecting Colombia’s peace process. The ELN, active since the 1960s, has an estimated 6,000 fighters operating in Colombia and neighboring Venezuela. The group has established significant revenue streams through illegal gold mining and drug trafficking routes across both countries, and maintains supportive ties with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

Peace talks between Colombia and the ELN have faced numerous setbacks. In January, the Colombian government suspended negotiations after the rebel group launched deadly attacks on villages in northeastern Colombia, forcing more than 50,000 people to flee their homes. Despite the formal suspension, peace delegations from both sides have made unsuccessful attempts to restart dialogue.

The situation reflects broader challenges in President Gustavo Petro’s peace strategy. His administration has pursued negotiations with several armed groups, offering ceasefires as incentives to join the peace process. Critics contend these truces have been exploited by rebel groups to strengthen their territorial control and recruit additional fighters rather than advancing toward peace.

Colombia’s experience with insurgent groups has been mixed. In 2016, the government reached a historic peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), resulting in the disarmament of over 13,000 fighters. However, this created a power vacuum in former FARC territories that groups like the ELN have aggressively moved to fill.

The current armed strike underscores the ongoing volatility in Colombia’s rural regions and the complex interplay between domestic armed groups and international politics. While the ELN frames its actions as resistance to U.S. intervention in the region, the Colombian government points out that ordinary citizens bear the brunt of these politically motivated restrictions.

As the armed strike continues until Wednesday morning (6 a.m. local time, 11:00 GMT), communities across affected regions remain essentially under lockdown, highlighting the continued challenges Colombia faces in its pursuit of comprehensive peace after decades of internal conflict.