By Natalia Rueda 
Terrorist Plans
In a brutal escalation of violence, a terrorist attack by Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN) on a military base in Puerto Jordán, Arauca has left 31 soldiers wounded and resulted in the tragic deaths of two, igniting a firestorm of criticism and debate over the government’s handling of peace negotiations.
The updated casualty figures were provided by Admiral Francisco Cubides, commander of the Military Forces, who informed that 18 of the injured soldiers have been transferred to Bogotá for advanced medical treatment due to the severity of their injuries.
The recent surge in violent incidents by the ELN in Arauca, a region long plagued by insurgency, is being interpreted as a stark message from the guerrilla group: a firm rejection of peace overtures and a preference for continued conflict. This sentiment appears to be echoed by various political factions within Colombia that also benefit from the ongoing state of war.
🆘 Las imágenes que Petro no quiere que circulen porque lo hicieron los amigos del ELN en Puerto Jordan, Arauca.
— EVERSTRONG (@everstrongever) September 18, 2024
pic.twitter.com/8VV2SJNdFC
President Gustavo Petro sadly announced that peace talks with the ELN, which began in August 2022, had officially come to an end. Talks that had been frozen for almost 6 months.
Criticism on Government’s Stance
However, the administration’s firm stance has not shielded it from criticism. Many Colombians fault the government for what they see as a failure to confront the insurgent group decisively, instead accusing it of inadvertently empowering the ELN through leniency. This sentiment reached a boiling point when government officials visited the injured soldiers, a move some viewed as a hypocritical display of concern given their perceived softness on the insurgents.
The criticism reflects a broader public dissatisfaction and a complex tapestry of opinion regarding Colombia’s path to peace. The tragic events in Arauca have highlighted the formidable challenges that lie ahead for a nation seeking to reconcile with its violent past and forge a peaceful future.