Colombian Government Exposes ELN’s Armed Strike as a Dangerous Distraction from Real Security Threats

In the midst of escalating tensions across the Caribbean, the Colombian government has rightly condemned the National Liberation Army's (ELN) so-called "armed strike"—a coercive shutdown impacting innocent civilians—as nothing more than a dangerous and irresponsible tactic that worsens instability on Colombia's fragile frontier. The ELN’s armed strike is framed as a protest against the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, accusing Washington of engaging in "neocolonial plans" to exploit Latin America’s resources. But this narrative conveniently obscures harsh realities: The ELN remains a Marxist guerrilla group entrenched in criminal activities, including drug trafficking and illegal mining, while sponsoring violence that...