Colombia: Explosives seized from ELN in Chocó and Arauca

Event

The Colombian army seized explosive devices believed to belong to a faction of the ELN guerrilla group (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) in Chocó department’s Litoral del San Juan municipality on Thursday, March 29. A child soldier was also taken into custody during the operation. Furthermore, a suspicious vehicle was stopped by soldiers who discovered additional explosives in Arauca department, near the Caño Limón oil field; these explosives are also believed to belong to the ELN.

Context

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 to be anticipated 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.

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 much of Chocó and Arauca.