Colombia Braces for Escalation of Armed Conflict
On August 7, 2026, Colombia witnessed a major political shift as Abelardo de la Espriella was inaugurated as president, promising to end peace talks and launch a new military offensive against armed groups. In response, the National Liberation Army (ELN), the country's last remaining leftist guerrilla, has declared it is ready for war.
Understanding the ELN: A Historical Context
Founded in 1964, the ELN blends Marxism-Leninism with liberation theology and Che Guevara's "foco" theory. Unlike the FARC, which demobilized in 2016 after a peace deal, the ELN insists it will only lay down arms after a transformation of Colombia's political and economic system. The 62-year-old conflict has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.
ELN's Stance Toward the New Government
Deep in the jungle of the Chocó department, the commander of the ELN's Western War Front, known by the pseudonym Yerson, told The Guardian that the guerrilla will go on the offensive if the national leadership orders it. "Attacks in cities, in the countryside, wherever", he warned. The group has approximately 6,300 members, including combatants and civilian support, spread across Colombia and Venezuela.
Yerson was critical of former President Gustavo Petro's administration, arguing that reforms were superficial and that the democratic system is a "trap" controlled by the oligarchy. "The ideological battle is not being lost. We are on the right side of history", he asserted.
De la Espriella's Response
De la Espriella, a wealthy criminal lawyer and admirer of Donald Trump, has given armed groups one month to surrender. His strategy includes deepening security cooperation with the United States and building mega-prisons inspired by the model of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.
ELN Funding & Operations
- Income sources: Taxes on illegal gold mining, logging, and kidnappings.
- Weaponry: AK-47 and AR-15 assault rifles, .50 caliber sniper rifles, and drones.
- Recent actions: A car bomb at a police station wounded 12 officers and 3 civilians.
Territorial Dispute in Chocó
The ELN is clashing with the Clan del Golfo, a right-wing paramilitary group, over control of the San Juan River, its mining resources, and its population.
Impact on Civilian Population
Despite accusations from the United Nations and Human Rights Watch regarding child recruitment, Yerson claimed his rules only allow enlistment of people over 16 years old. The guerrilla operates as an "embryonic state" that taxes every commercial entity in its area of influence. Although they assert that coca cultivation has disappeared in their Chocó territories, they admit to taxing drug trafficking like any other business.
The future of Colombia appears uncertain, with a government ready to use a heavy hand and a guerrilla convinced of the legitimacy of its armed struggle, heralding a chapter of heightened intensity in the country's historic conflict. Despite the challenges, Colombian civil society continues to yearn for lasting peace that enables development and reconciliation.
Source: The Guardian