National Army Colombia He reported that two guerrillas from the National Liberation Army were killed. (ELN) after hours of fighting in a rural area of Arauquita, Arauca state, on the border with Venezuela. According to the Colombian newspaper ‘Semana’, they also reported that two people were arrested and their military and communications equipment was confiscated.
The conflict is part of talks between guerrilla groups and the government of President Gustavo Petro aimed at a ceasefire and, ultimately, an end to permanent violence.
The dialogue has taken several hits in recent weeks due to the violent attacks by the ELN., especially after an attack that killed nine soldiers in a rural area of Norte de Santander last week. But Petro is willing to continue negotiations, and the ELN confirmed in a statement released this Monday it is interested in “study and a bilateral ceasefire, relevant protocols and oversight mechanisms – observation – and verification.”