Colombia's ELN Rebels Step Up Security Amid Trump's 'Intervention' Threats
In a move that has left many questioning its intentions, Colombia's largest rebel force, the National Liberation Army (ELN), has issued a directive ordering civilians living under its control to stay indoors for three days as it stages military drills. The announcement comes in response to growing tensions between Washington and Bogota, with US President Donald Trump warning that nations manufacturing and exporting cocaine to the US could face military strikes or even land attacks.
The ELN's decision has been met with skepticism by Colombian officials, who see it as nothing more than a desperate attempt to bolster its sagging support base. "It is necessary for civilians not to mix with fighters to avoid accidents," the ELN said in its statement, but Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected this justification, calling it "nothing more than criminal coercion."
The move underscores a deepening confrontation between Washington and Bogota, with Trump escalating his rhetoric against Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Earlier this week, Trump told business executives that Petro had "better wise up, or he'll be next," citing cocaine production as justification for potential action.
Petro has responded to these threats by issuing equal defiance, warning Trump against "waking the jaguar" and insisting any assault on Colombian territory would amount to a declaration of war. The Colombian president has also invited his US counterpart to witness laboratory demolitions firsthand, claiming his administration destroys drug facilities every 40 minutes.
The ELN, which fields roughly 5,800 fighters, maintains control over significant drug-producing areas, including the Catatumbo region along the Venezuelan frontier. Human rights groups have long accused the group of engaging in brutal tactics and exploiting civilians to fund its operations.
As tensions continue to simmer between Washington and Bogota, it remains unclear what Trump's ultimate goal is. However, one thing is certain: the situation has taken a volatile turn, with potential consequences for both countries and the region at large.
In a move that has left many questioning its intentions, Colombia's largest rebel force, the National Liberation Army (ELN), has issued a directive ordering civilians living under its control to stay indoors for three days as it stages military drills. The announcement comes in response to growing tensions between Washington and Bogota, with US President Donald Trump warning that nations manufacturing and exporting cocaine to the US could face military strikes or even land attacks.
The ELN's decision has been met with skepticism by Colombian officials, who see it as nothing more than a desperate attempt to bolster its sagging support base. "It is necessary for civilians not to mix with fighters to avoid accidents," the ELN said in its statement, but Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected this justification, calling it "nothing more than criminal coercion."
The move underscores a deepening confrontation between Washington and Bogota, with Trump escalating his rhetoric against Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Earlier this week, Trump told business executives that Petro had "better wise up, or he'll be next," citing cocaine production as justification for potential action.
Petro has responded to these threats by issuing equal defiance, warning Trump against "waking the jaguar" and insisting any assault on Colombian territory would amount to a declaration of war. The Colombian president has also invited his US counterpart to witness laboratory demolitions firsthand, claiming his administration destroys drug facilities every 40 minutes.
The ELN, which fields roughly 5,800 fighters, maintains control over significant drug-producing areas, including the Catatumbo region along the Venezuelan frontier. Human rights groups have long accused the group of engaging in brutal tactics and exploiting civilians to fund its operations.
As tensions continue to simmer between Washington and Bogota, it remains unclear what Trump's ultimate goal is. However, one thing is certain: the situation has taken a volatile turn, with potential consequences for both countries and the region at large.
this whole situation is super worrying 
i mean dont get me wrong im all for colombia taking care of itself but elns move just seems so drastic 
what if something goes wrong 
or people get hurt 
why did they have to order civilians to stay indoors for three days it feels like a trap 
meanwhile trump is just escalating things and its getting really intense 
im all for petro standing up for himself but this is getting out of hand 
. And let's be real, the whole thing with the cocaine production is just a hot mess 
. But what really gets me is how Trump's being super aggressive and threatening - like, dude, calm down! 
The ELN's got its own problems, but it's not all about the US backing them up, you know? It's also about Colombia standing up for itself. I hope Petro stands firm and shows Trump who's boss 
. And can we talk about how messed up this situation is? 
and what about all these human rights abuses attributed to eln in the past does trump care about that at all?
5k fighters is nothing compared to how many guns are in circulation 
these rebels are just trying to survive and he's threatening them? 
I'm thinking, Colombia's ELN Rebels are basically playing chicken with Trump - they're trying to show who's boss here 
. Meanwhile, Petro is just fueling the fire by inviting Trump to witness lab demolitions like he's some kinda warlord 
. It's a bit of a wild west situation over there. The question is, what's the end game for Trump? Is he really going to go through with a military strike or land attack? 
Colombia's ELN rebels just decided to make civilians stay indoors for 3 days during military drills 
I mean, what's next? 
Colombia's president Gustavo Petro is like "no way dude" and is basically telling Trump to chill out 
but honestly, who can trust these guys anymore? 