Commanders from the National Liberation Army (ELN) have declared their intention to fight back against a government military offensive in northeastern Colombia, signaling a sharp departure from President Gustavo Petro’s promised “total peace” strategy. The announcement comes amid renewed clashes in the Catatumbo border region that have displaced tens of thousands and resulted in significant casualties.
Resisting the Government Offensive
ELN commanders warned that President Petro’s “total peace” plan is unraveling into what they described as “total war.” “Petro has declared war. We are not afraid of that,” said Ricardo, a leader on the ELN’s northeastern front. He added that if government forces continue to intensify their presence, the guerrilla group is ready to confront them in defense of their territory.
Escalation in the Catatumbo Region
Violence in the Catatumbo area has surged since January, with clashes between the ELN and a rival armed group resulting in at least 76 deaths and nearly 56,000 people displaced, according to government figures. In response to the escalating conflict, President Petro has declared a state of emergency and deployed 10,000 troops in an effort to regain control of this volatile region.
The Battle Over Cocaine Trafficking Routes
A significant factor fueling the conflict is the struggle for dominance over lucrative cocaine trafficking routes that funnel drugs into Venezuela. The ELN’s stronghold serves as a crucial production hub for coca, the raw material for cocaine, and a key gateway to the Caribbean coast. While authorities have accused the ELN of collaborating with Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, the group denies direct involvement in drug trafficking, claiming instead that it imposes “taxes” on local cocaine production to finance its operations.
Implications for Colombia’s Peace Process
The recent surge in violence poses a serious challenge to the peace process that began with the 2016 accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Critics argue that leniency towards dissident factions has allowed these groups to regroup and expand their criminal enterprises, thereby undermining the government’s efforts to negotiate with remaining armed organizations. The ELN’s renewed resistance highlights the fragility of Colombia’s security landscape and raises concerns about the potential for further escalation.
As both government forces and insurgent groups brace for an extended confrontation in one of Colombia’s most unstable regions, the future of President Petro’s “total peace” initiative remains uncertain. With tensions mounting over contested territories and the strategic control of drug trafficking routes, Colombia faces a precarious balance between pursuing peace and confronting persistent insurgency.