President Gustavo Petro on Sunday asked Colombians to celebrate the Christmas season without fear after rebels announced a forced strike in parts of the country in response to his government’s actions against them, and to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to expand strikes.
On X, Petro reposted a document in which the left-wing National Liberation Army, or ELN, rebel group said it was calling for an armed strike that will require confining civilians to their homes and restricting commercial activity and transportation.
Armed strikes often involve school closures and civilians who defy the rebels’ orders are threatened with execution.
