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2 clusters · 34 sources · 14 days · First seen · Last updated

Security incidents involving ELN in Colombia

Overview

In late September 2026, an armed attack in Ábrego, Norte de Santander, killed two police officers who were traveling in an institutional vehicle for community outreach. President Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the attack and ordered the capture of those responsible, noting the presence of ELN fronts in the region. The Norte de Santander government subsequently offered a reward of up to 50 million pesos for information regarding the perpetrators.

By early October, Colombian authorities reported further security developments involving the ELN. In Soledad, police discovered gas cylinders containing pamphlets and items associated with the guerrilla group. While authorities confirmed the cylinders did not contain explosives, they launched investigations to determine if the items were part of an intimidation strategy by criminal groups using ELN symbols or the work of an urban cell.

On October 8, investigations expanded across the Barranquilla metropolitan area following the discovery of an ELN flag and a gas cylinder on a bridge connecting Barranquilla and Soledad. The incident caused significant traffic disruptions, forcing the Transmetro system and urban transport companies to alter routes. Subsequently, police located two more gas cylinders containing ELN-related insignia and pamphlets in a parking lot in Soledad’s Nuevo Milenio sector. Although explosive disposal units confirmed the cylinders posed no immediate danger, authorities are investigating if these incidents constitute a coordinated strategy by a local criminal structure or an ELN urban cell to incite fear.

Entities

National Police of Colombia · ELN · Montería · Brayan Stiven Lizarazo Torres · Ábrego

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 14 sources
    Barranquilla establishes new Interpol office to combat transnational crime

    Barranquilla has opened a new Interpol office at the Metropolitan Police Command to enhance international cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking, and cybercrime.

  2. [CRIME] 22 sources
    Ábrego police attack: Two officers killed in Norte de Santander

    Two Colombian police officers were killed in an armed attack in Ábrego, Norte de Santander. President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered the capture of those responsible, citing ELN presence in the area.

Sources

360radio.com.co · ancashaldia.com · boyacadigital.com · buenaventuraenlinea.com · casildaplus.com · colombia.com · costanoticias.com · croniosv.com · crprensa.com · diariodelcauca.com.co · diariodelnorte.net · diariodelsur.com.co · diarioriente.com · eje21.com.co · elespectador.com · elfrente.com.co · elinformativo.hn · elnuevodia.com.co · elnuevodiario.com.do · elnuevosiglo.com.co · extra.com.co · guajiranews.com · hsbnoticias.com · lahora.gt · lanacion.com.co · laopinion.com.co · lasillavacia.com · minuto30.com · noticiasya.co · policia.gov.co · primicia.com.ve · rdnvenezuela.com · tn23.tv · villamariaya.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history