Colombia's Peace Process in Jeopardy: President Petro Condemns Deadly ELN Attack

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro has issued a stark warning, stating that a recent attack on a military base by the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group has dealt a severe blow to ongoing peace negotiations. The incident, which occurred in Puerto Jordan, Arauca province, resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to at least 21 others, casting a shadow over the country's efforts to achieve lasting peace.

During a solemn ceremony in Bogota, President Petro emphasized the gravity of the situation, describing the attack as a "blood-soaked" closure to the peace process. The ELN's use of a cargo truck loaded with explosives and rockets has been deemed the most significant assault since the bilateral ceasefire between the government and the rebel group ended in August.

With an estimated 6,000 fighters, the ELN is the largest of the armed groups involved in Colombia's six-decade-long conflict, which has claimed the lives of over 450,000 people. In 2016, the government successfully negotiated a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), but the ELN has remained a persistent challenge.

Petro, Colombia's first left-wing president, initiated peace talks with the ELN at the end of 2022 as part of his ambitious "total peace" agenda. However, these talks have faced significant obstacles, with the ELN continuing to engage in kidnappings and impose taxes on civilians in areas under their control.

The ELN's frustration has further escalated due to the government's decision to open separate negotiations with a splinter ELN unit operating in the southwest of the country. In August, Defence Minister Ivan Velasquez announced that military operations against the ELN would resume following the expiration of the ceasefire.

The rebel group maintains that the government has failed to uphold the terms of agreements signed during previous peace talks. Additionally, the ELN demands that the government remove them from the list of organized armed groups.

As Colombia grapples with the aftermath of this deadly attack, the future of the peace process hangs in the balance. President Petro's warning serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the country as it strives to bring an end to decades of conflict and build a more peaceful and stable future.