The ELN reported carrying out a three-day armed attack throughout Colombia from 6:00 a.m. on December 14 to the same time on December 17. The organization said the measure was a response to what it sees as the latest phase of United States President Donald Trump’s “neo-colonial agenda” and also represents a response to alleged warnings of military intervention by that country in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The ELN’s announcement of the armed strike sparked reactions from presidential candidates ahead of the 2026 elections. Among them, the pre-candidate Santiago Botero spoke out via his social networks and declared: “The responsibility lies with the bandits disguised as politicians.”
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Candidate Santiago Botero’s reaction to the announcement of the ELN’s armed strike made clear his critical stance towards the peace process and certain political sectors.. Through his social networks, Botero directly blamed those who, in his opinion, promoted agreements with armed groups, expressing: “The band!d0$ disguised as politicians is responsible, they handed over the country to the FARC and the ELN with the Chimb0$ agreements!!”
Along with the written message, Santiago Botero released a video in which he deepened his criticism of the impact of the agreements with the guerrillas on the country’s security situation. In his audiovisual intervention, Botero deplored the authority acquired by the ELN to enforce actions such as the armed strike and reiterated that the political class was responsible for this scenario.
In addition, he warned the members of these groups about a possible change in the political landscape after the next presidential elections in Colombia, emphasizing that his position is not based on partisan interests.
“Colombia must stop because the ELN ordered it. (Humming) This is how the politicians in Colombia left us, with these crazy agreements of the FARC and the ELN. The only thing I can say to these members: if you continue in 2026, accept it as a confession, because divine justice comes to Colombia without thinking. Remember, I am not a politician.”commented on the candidate for the occupation of the Casa de Nariño in the footage that he uploaded to his social networks.
Rural communities and local officials greeted the news with concern, particularly in areas where illegal armed groups have traditionally operated.
Through his statement on Friday, December 12, The ELN reiterated that the “interference of North American imperialism” aims to increase the “plundering” of Colombia’s natural resources.
The insurgent organization explained its position by saying: “As a revolutionary guerrilla organization, we fight in defense of life threatened by the accumulation of capital. We are here because we make decisions about the country in Colombia and not in Washington, and in the end we manage to form a government that serves the people and not the dominant minority.”
The message also included a complaint about the effects of foreign interference. He points out that this intervention would have caused “more than 500,000 deaths and 6 million displaced between 2015 and 2025 on the shores of the misery left by war and poverty”.
From the leadership of the National Liberation Army, they stressed that the armed attack is aimed at alarming citizens by disregarding “military secrecy” and demanded that people outside the conflict be informed in advance of their actions.
The ELN called on the population to avoid traveling on roads and navigable rivers during the duration of the armed strike He emphasized the recommendation that civilians should not interact with members of the armed forces “to avoid accidents.”
The group stated that its “street control units would respect civilians and their property”; However, they warned that they would take action against those they identified as saboteurs.
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