In a significant operation on Tuesday, the Colombian military successfully rescued 39 individuals who had been kidnapped by the National Liberation Army (ELN), the country’s largest guerrilla group. The individuals were abducted while traveling along a highway in the remote Choco region, an area where the ELN maintains a strong presence.
General Hugo Lopez announced the operation on social media platform X, declaring that “our 39 compatriots have regained their freedom.” He also revealed the tragic loss of two soldiers during the mission aimed at rescuing the hostages.
A military source, who requested anonymity, confirmed to AFP that all those kidnapped were civilians traveling by bus at the time of their abduction.
The ELN, known as the oldest surviving guerrilla group in the Americas, has been notorious for funding its operations through drug trafficking and various illegal activities. This group maintains a firm grip on the local population in the Choco region, which borders Panama along Colombia’s Pacific coast. It frequently engages in clashes with Colombian security forces.
Efforts by the outgoing leftist President Gustavo Petro to negotiate a peace deal with the ELN have stalled since he took office in 2022. Experts observe a troubling trend over the past four years, noting a significant increase in the strength of illegal armed groups across Colombia, alongside a resurgence in kidnappings orchestrated by drug traffickers.
The political landscape is set to change with the impending inauguration of far-right president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella on August 7. He has vowed to enhance security measures and intensify military action against insurgents, indicating a shift in the government’s approach to dealing with security threats posed by groups like the ELN.
