Colombia: ELN threatens three-day armed strike Feb. 10-13

Event

The National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional; ELN) guerilla group has announced that it will hold a three-day armed strike in areas under its control. According to the ELN, the strike will start at 06:00 (local time) on Saturday, February 10, and end at 06:00 on Tuesday, February 13. All members of the ELN were ordered to participate in the action and citizens were told not to travel during the strike. Militants could block roads and force the closure of local businesses and the suspension of public transportation. Clashes between militants and security forces are likely during this period and civilians disobeying the strike order could be targeted.

Context

ELN leaders called for the strike to protest the government’s decision to suspend peace negotiations on January 10. The ELN - the country's last remaining rebel group following the 2017 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. Rounds of peace talks have been ongoing since February 2017.

Advice

Individuals in Colombia are advised to monitor developments to the situation and allow additional time to travel. 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.