26 Mar 2018 | 10:09 AM UTC
Colombia: Deadly ELN attack in Nariño March 24
ELN bombing attack against oil pipeline in Tumaco, Nariño, kills one soldier and wounds two others March 24
Event
The Trasandino oil pipeline was bombed in the southwestern department of Nariño on Saturday, March 26. The explosion, which occurred at 06:45 (local time) on Route 10 in the municipality of Tumaco, killed one soldier and wounded two others. The attack has been attributed to the ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) guerrilla group.
Context
As a reminder, peace talks between the Colombian government and the ELN are ongoing in Quito, Ecuador. Regardless, continued attacks by the ELN and anti-ELN operations by the Colombian security forces are likely in the absence of a bilateral ceasefire, one of the early goals of the resumed talks.
Even if a ceasefire is implemented, violence will likely continue to some extent, as was the case during a 101-day bilateral ceasefire in place from October 2017 to January 2018. Furthermore, violence carried out by the country’s various other armed groups (drug cartels, right-wing militias, local gangs, etc.) would continue as normal, including fighting between the ELN and the EPL crime group, notably in the Catatumbo region of Norte de Santander department. Various armed groups are active in Nariño department, including organized crime groups (BACRIM) involved in narcotrafficking and ex-FARC dissidents, in addition to ELN militants.
The ELN - the country's last remaining rebel group following the demobilization of the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) - was 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. However, according to the Defense Ministry, nearly 200 ELN militants have been “neutralized” since the beginning of the year.
Advice
Individuals in Colombia are advised to keep abreast of the situation. Due to the presence of a number of armed groups, some Western governments advise against travel to various regions of the country, including parts of Nariño.
