Colombia Suspends Peace Talks with ELN After Deadly Clashes Leave 39 Dead

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has suspended peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) following violent confrontations that resulted in at least 39 deaths near the Venezuelan border. In North Santander, ELN fighters targeted dissident members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), killing 30 and injuring 20 across multiple villages. Additionally, in Bolivar department, nine people died in clashes involving the ELN and the Clan del Golfo, a right-wing paramilitary group turned trafficking gang. Petro condemned the ELN’s actions as “war crimes,” stating that the group shows no willingness to pursue peace. This suspension poses a significant challenge to Petro’s “Total Peace” policy, which aims to negotiate with various armed groups in the country.