In a significant escalation of violence, six Colombian soldiers have been killed and at least 28 others wounded in a drone attack carried out by the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group. The assault targeted a remote military outpost near the Venezuelan border on Thursday night.
Details of the Deadly Assault
The attack occurred at a rural base in the municipality of Aguachica, located in the sensitive border region with Venezuela. According to Colombia's Defence Minister, Pedro Sánchez, the ELN employed drones to launch explosive devices directly at the military installation. Sánchez took to social media early on Friday to condemn what he termed a "terrorist action," confirming the tragic loss of life and numerous injuries.
This incident marks the second fatal clash between security forces and rebel groups within a single week, bringing the total number of soldiers killed to at least eight. The ELN, which was founded in 1964 and inspired by the Cuban revolution, is the oldest active guerrilla organisation in the Americas. It maintains control over key drug-producing territories within Colombia.
A Stalled Peace and Expanding Influence
Efforts by the Colombian government to negotiate a lasting peace settlement with the ELN have repeatedly faltered. President Gustavo Petro, a former guerrilla himself who took office in 2022, initially pursued a policy of dialogue with armed groups involved in the cocaine trade, rather than all-out warfare. However, these negotiations have largely stalled.
The group's power and reach are substantial. The ELN is present in over a fifth of Colombia's 1,100-plus municipalities. Furthermore, according to the Insight Crime research centre, it has built a growing presence in neighbouring Venezuela, operating in eight of its 24 states. This expansion has bolstered its finances, territorial control, and political influence across the region.
International Pressure and Ideological Claims
The attack comes amid heightened international tensions. Last week, the ELN vowed to fight for Colombia's "defence" against what it called U.S. "threats of imperialist intervention." This rhetoric follows direct pressure from Washington on President Petro's administration.
In October, the United States imposed sanctions on President Petro, alleging his reluctance to target armed cocaine-trafficking factions. Washington, which is conducting anti-narcotics operations off Venezuela's coast, has warned Petro he could "be next" due to Colombia's status as the world's top cocaine producer, a designation confirmed by the United Nations.
Despite professing a leftist, nationalist ideology, analysts note the ELN is deeply enmeshed in the drug trade and has evolved into one of the most powerful organised crime syndicates in Latin America, complicating both domestic and international efforts to achieve stability.
