- Dhaka, Delhi agree to bring down border killings to zero |
- Natore’s Baraigram OC closed over negligence in bus robbery case |
- Imported fruit prices surge by up to Tk 100 per kg |
- 35% of air pollution in BD originates from external sources: Experts |
- CPJ denounces Trump administration's action against AP |
At Least 39 Killed in Colombia Guerrilla Violence
Colombian authorities confirmed on Friday that at least 39 people were killed in a series of violent attacks linked to a guerrilla group near the Colombia-Venezuela border. The bloodshed has prompted President Gustavo Petro to halt peace talks with the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN), which he accused of committing "war crimes."
What We Know About the Violence: The violence occurred in the Catatumbo region in Colombia's North Santander department, where ELN fighters launched attacks on dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Over 30 people were killed and more than 20 others injured, according to local officials, including Governor William Villamizar. Among the dead, at least five were former FARC rebels who had demobilized under the 2016 peace agreement.
In a separate incident, nine people were killed in clashes between ELN fighters and the Clan del Golfo, Colombia's most powerful criminal gang, in the nearby Bolivar department.
Stalled Peace Talks: The Colombian government's peace negotiations with the ELN, which resumed in 2022, have repeatedly stalled due to escalating violence. Most recently, talks were suspended in September 2024 following an attack on a military base that left two soldiers dead and more than 25 others wounded.
The ongoing violence is a significant challenge for President Petro, who is pursuing a "total peace" strategy aimed at ending Colombia's decades-long internal armed conflict. The ELN, however, has repeatedly undermined peace efforts, raising doubts about the group's commitment to dialogue.