Military Bombing Against ELN Leaves Dead in Venezuela, Says NGO

A military bombing of the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas has left several people dead on Venezuela's border with Colombia, the NGO Fundaredes and a human rights activist told France Presse on Saturday. The action took place in a rural area of Venezuela’s southwestern state of Apure and marks a new chapter in the tension between security forces and irregular armed groups in the region.

AFP had access to a video showing several bodies scattered on the ground, fallen trees and ruins of what appears to be a camp. The images, whose authenticity has not been verified independently, circulate on social networks and reinforce the report that the attack hit a temporary guerrilla base.

First bombing of the ELN

The director of Fundaredes, Javier Tarazona, said that an NGO coordinator saw the first nine dead in the action. According to him, this is “the first bombing of Venezuela against the ELN”. The statement suggests a change in the stance of the Venezuelan government, which has historically tolerated the presence of irregular groups at the border.

The source did not detail the total number of victims or the exact circumstances of the attack. There is also no information about the precise date of the bombing or about the military forces involved. Fundaredes called for a transparent investigation, the identification of the dead and the protection of the civilian population in the region.

Historical presence of the ELN at the border

The ELN was created in 1964 and is inspired by the Cuban revolution and liberation theology. It became the continent's most powerful active guerrilla after the disarmament of most of the FARC in 2016. Operating on both sides of the border, the group controls routes of smuggling, illegal mining and drug trafficking, according to reports from local organizations.

“We have documented and denounced, over the years, the presence and the actions of irregular armed groups on the Venezuelan border, as well as the threats, territorial control and vulnerability of communities,” Fundaredes said in a statement. The NGO monitors human rights violations in the region and has published several reports on the situation.

Impact on local communities

The presence of armed groups at the border has led to forced displacement, recruitment of young people and violence against community leaders. Residents of Apure report living in constant fear of clashes between guerrillas and security forces. The lack of effective state presence exacerbates the vulnerability of the civilian population.

Fundaredes advocated a transparent investigation, the identification of the dead and the protection of the civilian population in the region. The organization also charged measures to prevent civilians from being hit in military operations. To date, Venezuelan authorities have not officially commented on the incident.

Regional context and developments

The bombing comes at a time of increasing international pressure on Venezuela for its border security policy. Colombia, for its part, faces the challenge of containing the expansion of the ELN in its territory, especially after the failure of peace negotiations. Military action can reconfigure the balance of forces in the region and intensify clashes.

Analysts heard by local media point to the offensive as a response to recent guerrilla attacks on Venezuelan military installations. However, the source did not detail these episodes. The official silence remains uncertain about the extent of the operation and its humanitarian consequences.

Next steps and expectations

The international community must closely monitor developments, especially with regard to the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law. Human rights organizations are calling on Venezuela and Colombia to coordinate actions to prevent an escalation of violence at the border.

Meanwhile, the families of the victims are waiting for information about the identification of the bodies and the progress of the investigations. The Foundations promised to continue documenting the case and collect answers from the authorities. The incident reinforces the urgency of a security policy that prioritizes the life and dignity of border communities.

For more news on conflicts in Latin America and human rights, continue to follow the Boca no Trombone.

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