Colombia's president says ELN rebels will 'get war' as violence in the country's northeast escalates

Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned of military offensive actions against the National Liberation Army (ELN) after a wave of attacks in the country’s northeast left dozens dead and forced thousands to flee, accusing the rebels of turning into drug traffickers like Pablo Escobar. Peace talks with the ELN have stalled over disarmament and economic reform disagreements, prompting Petro to suspend negotiations after violence escalated in the Catatumbo region, displacing 18,300 people and causing at least 80 deaths. The ELN claims to be targeting former rebel fighters collaborating with a rival group, but civilians and demobilized fighters have been caught in the crossfire, highlighting the ongoing struggle to reduce violence in rural areas following the 2016 peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

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