Colombia: Further ELN attacks January 10 /update 2

Event

Members of the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group carried out at least six attacks on January 10 following the expiration of a bilateral ceasefire between the group and the Colombian government. One soldier was assassinated by a sniper in Arauca department, near the border between the municipalities of Arauca and Arauquita. A group of patrolling soldiers was also targeted by a grenade attack in Arauquita; at least two soldiers were injured. The ELN carried out attacks against the Caño Limón-Coveñas oil pipeline in the Arauca municipalities of Arauquita and Saravena, forcing the temporarily shutdown of pumping operations, and bombed oil wells in Cubará (Boyaca department) and Aguazul (Casanare department).

Additional attacks by ELN militants and military offensives by the Colombian security are possible in the coming days and weeks.

Context

The attacks occurred the day a new round of peace talks was scheduled to begin between the ELN and the Colombia government. The ELN regularly ups its attacks ahead of talks as a way to improve its bargaining position; the group has reiterated that it is still interested in going ahead with the negotiations. However, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos ordered his chief negotiator to withdraw from peace talks, at least temporarily, on January 10, also potentially a bargaining strategy.

The ELN - the country's last remaining rebel group following the demobilization of the FARC - is believed to have some 2000 fighters spread out over the departments of Nariño, Arauca, Boyacá, Norte de Santander, La Guajira, Cesar, Bolívar, Casanare, Santander, Chocó, Cauca, and Putumayo, particularly in rural zones. Peace talks have been ongoing since February 2017.

Advice

Individuals in Colombia are advised to monitor developments to the situation. Due to the presence of a number of armed groups - including organized crime groups, drug cartels, right-wing militias, and local gangs in addition to the ELN - some Western governments advise against travel to various parts of the country.