Full Breakdown
ELN Attacks Result in Deaths of Colombian Police Officers Amid Protests
12/17/2025, 1:01:56 AM
Attack Overview
On November 26, 2025, two Colombian police officers were killed in Cali during an attack attributed to the National Liberation Army (ELN), a Marxist rebel group. The officers were patrolling on motorcycles when they were struck by a roadside bomb. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, they succumbed to their injuries. This incident occurred amid a broader context of violence as the ELN initiated a 72-hour “armed strike” to protest the increasing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean.
Context of the Armed Strike
The ELN's armed strike, which began on November 24, forced schools and businesses to close in areas under its control while escalating attacks against government targets. In addition to the attack in Cali, the group reportedly targeted a police station and a military base over the weekend, resulting in the death of an ambulance driver. The ELN has not officially claimed responsibility for the Cali attack, but its recent actions align with its stated objectives during the armed strike.
Government Response
Colombian officials have criticized the ELN's protests against U.S. military intervention, particularly in light of the Trump administration's deployment of warships and fighter jets near Venezuela. The Colombian government has described the ELN's actions as lacking justification, emphasizing that the group is harming local communities rather than addressing the perceived threat of U.S. involvement. President Gustavo Petro, who has previously sought peace talks with the ELN, condemned the group’s recent violence and accused it of straying from its revolutionary principles.
Criticism of the ELN
President Petro, who has a history as a member of a different rebel group, has characterized the ELN as “drug traffickers dressed up as guerrillas.” His administration's attempts to negotiate peace with the ELN were suspended in January after the group conducted a series of attacks in the Catatumbo region, displacing over 50,000 people. This shift in Petro's rhetoric reflects growing frustration with the ELN's actions and its impact on Colombian society.
Verbatim Quotes
- “intervention “lacks any sense whatsoever” because it is targeting rural and urban communities within Colombia.” — Colombian Government Official
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Colombian police attribute the deaths of the officers to the ELN, the group has not claimed responsibility for the specific attack in Cali. Additionally, there are discrepancies regarding the extent of the violence during the armed strike, with varying reports on the number of attacks and their impact on local communities.
This incident underscores the ongoing conflict between the Colombian government and the ELN, highlighting the complexities of peace negotiations and the challenges posed by external military influences.
