Colombia armed forces restart military operations against ELN rebels

6/8/2024 7:29

        Colombia's armed forces have restarted operations against leftist rebel group the National Liberation Army (ELN), Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez said on Monday.
        
        The decision to restart military operations comes after a six-month ceasefire between the two sides ended on Saturday.
        
        The government of President Gustavo Petro, Colombia's first left-wing leader, restarted peace talks with the ELN at the end of 2022 as part of its total peace policy, where it is looking to end the country's six-decade conflict that has left more than 450,000 dead.
        
        "This means that offensive operations are back on and that is the order of the commander of the military to all forces, and also of the director of the national police," Velasquez told journalists.
        
        Peace talks froze in recent months and the ELN ended its suspension of kidnappings - which security sources say provide the group with much-needed financing - representing the return of one of the most feared elements of Colombia's conflict.