Colombia has announced the suspension of peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) following a deadly attack that claimed the lives of two soldiers and left more than 20 others injured. The government's peace delegation stated that the dialogue process is now on hold, citing the attack as a severe blow to the negotiations. The ELN, a rebel group, has not claimed responsibility for the incident.
The attack, which involved the firing of homemade rockets from a cargo truck near a military base in Arauca province, has led to the deepest crisis in the peace negotiations since November 2022. President Gustavo Petro, who initiated talks with various armed groups under a policy of total peace, expressed concern over the viability of the dialogue process.
The ELN, founded in the 1960s, has an estimated 6,000 fighters operating in Colombia and Venezuela. The group funds itself through activities such as drug trafficking and illegal gold mining. Despite ending a ceasefire with the Colombian government in August, the ELN had been engaged in peace talks aimed at resolving the decades-long conflict.
Defense Minister Iván Velásquez confirmed that the attack resulted in two soldiers killed and 26 wounded. Most of the injured were transported to a military hospital in Bogotá, where they are receiving treatment. Thirteen individuals are reported to be in stable condition, while five are in the intensive care unit.
Authorities have offered a reward for information leading to the capture of those responsible for the attack, as well as for the main leaders of the ELN. President Petro drew parallels between this incident and a previous attack by the ELN in 2019, which resulted in the suspension of peace talks during the administration of former President Iván Duque.
The situation remains tense as Colombia grapples with the aftermath of the attack and the uncertain future of peace negotiations with the ELN. The government has emphasized the need for a clear demonstration of the rebel group's commitment to peace in order to resume the dialogue process.
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