Post by : Rameen Ariff

Colombia is witnessing a sharp rise in violence after two police officers were killed in the northeastern city of Cúcuta, authorities said. The attack, which claimed the lives of a police superintendent and a sub-superintendent, was reportedly carried out by the National Liberation Army (ELN), a Marxist guerrilla group active since the 1960s. The ELN is known for its longstanding insurgency and control of parts of Colombia’s border with Venezuela.

President Gustavo Petro condemned the killings on social media platform X, calling the incident “unacceptable” and warning that additional troops will be deployed along the Colombian-Venezuelan border to strengthen security. General William Ospina, director of the Colombian National Police, confirmed that the attacks occurred in the department of Norte de Santander and described them as "terrorist acts." He also reported that two soldiers were injured in a separate attack in another neighborhood of the region.

Early investigations indicate that the ELN carried out the attacks as retaliation against the police for their ongoing offensive operations against the group. Images circulated by Colombian media showed significant damage to roads in the area where the explosion occurred, highlighting the intensity of the assault.

The ELN had been involved in peace negotiations with President Petro’s government, but the talks collapsed after an earlier attack in Catatumbo this year left nearly 100 people dead. The guerrilla group continues to fight for control along the border with Venezuela, often clashing with dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who rejected the 2016 peace agreement.

The escalation of hostilities has drawn attention to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Colombia. The International Committee of the Red Cross recently warned that civilians in affected regions are facing heightened risks, with access to essential services increasingly limited amid ongoing conflict.

In southwestern Colombia, another explosive attack in Cauca on Saturday injured seven people, underscoring the spread of guerrilla violence across multiple regions. In response to growing threats from armed groups, President Petro announced that the indictment against the top leader of FARC dissidents, known as Ivan Mordisco, and other commanders accused of narco-terrorism, is ready to be filed with the International Criminal Court, though no formal date has been given.

As Colombia confronts renewed guerrilla activity and border insecurity, authorities are emphasizing the need for stronger law enforcement and military presence to protect civilians and maintain stability in conflict-affected regions.

#Global News