An attack by the Colombian rebel group known as the National Liberation Army (ELN) has allegedly killed nine government soldiers, in a blow to the government’s efforts to negotiate a truce with armed groups and curb violence in the country.
The attack came more than two weeks after the government and the ELN held a second round of ceasefire negotiations in Mexico City. President Petro has promised to pursue “total peace” and turn away from the militarized approach of his predecessors. When he took office, he pushed for negotiations to end the fighting between the Colombian government and armed groups that have been active in Colombia for decades.
Colombia’s internal conflict stretches back nearly six decades, with government forces, right-wing paramilitaries, organized criminal groups, and left-wing rebel groups clashing for control of territory. More than 450,000 people have been killed in the fighting. Violence and displacement have continued to plague civilians in parts of the country where armed groups and criminal organizations fight over control of lucrative resources like drug routes and illegal mining operations.
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