Colombian guerrilla commanders from the ELN warn of a potential escalation to “total war” amid a faltering peace plan. Following recent violence, the government has declared a state of emergency and deployed troops to the northeast. With a resurgence in clashes due to territorial disputes and cocaine trafficking routes, the ELN remains determined in its insurgent strategies, challenging state authority and peace efforts.
Recent statements from senior commanders of Colombia’s guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), indicate a significant escalation in the country’s long-standing conflict. In an interview conducted in a remote area near the Venezuelan border, they expressed determination to resist a government counteroffensive, warning that the prospects for “total peace” are dwindling, potentially leading to “total war.”
The ELN, known for its 60-year insurgency and ties to the cocaine trade, has clashed with a rival group in the Catatumbo region since January, resulting in the displacement of nearly 56,000 individuals and numerous fatalities. This resurgence in violence marks a concerning trend, undoing years of post-2016 peace agreements.
In response to the escalation, the Colombian government has declared a state of emergency and deployed thousands of troops to the affected areas. President Gustavo Petro remarked, “The ELN has chosen the path of war, and that’s what they will get,” signaling a tough stance against the guerilla group. Little dialogue appears to be on the horizon, as the ELN commanders indicated their readiness to defend their territory by force.
The ongoing clashes are thought to stem from conflicts over territory and cocaine trafficking routes, with the ELN’s operational areas being crucial for coca production. Although Commander Silvana denied ties to narcotrafficking, she acknowledged the group’s taxation of local coca production as a means of sustaining its economy.
The violence poses a significant challenge to the Petro administration, which aims to achieve a policy of “total peace” by limiting military actions against non-signatory groups of the 2016 peace deal. Observers suggest that this strategy has allowed dissident factions to regain traction.
The expansion of cocaine production in Colombia has surged by 420 percent since 2012, exacerbating fears among citizens that armed conflict could revert to the extensive violence of previous decades. Commander Ricardo of the ELN firmly rejected calls for disarmament, asserting that necessary change in the state is crucial for peace.
Both ELN leaders emphasized a commitment to their revolutionary goals, stating their intention to persist in their resistance until their objectives are met, suggesting that the conflict in Colombia is far from over.
The situation in Colombia remains precarious as the ELN guerrilla group threatens a return to large-scale conflict. The government’s response to the renewed violence, coupled with rising cocaine production and internal instability, may hinder potential peace negotiations. Commanders within the ELN express a willingness to engage in resistance, asserting that operational changes are fundamental to securing their revolutionary aims. The future of peace in Colombia hangs in a delicate balance, with fears of escalating violence prevalent among the populace.
Original Source: www.france24.com
