Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Foreign Terrorist Organizations: National Liberation Army
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Publication Date | 19 September 2018 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Foreign Terrorist Organizations: National Liberation Army, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f31a.html [accessed 24 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
aka ELN; Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional
Description: The National Liberation Army (ELN) was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on October 8, 1997. The ELN is a Colombian Marxist-Leninist group formed in 1964. The ELN remains focused on attacking economic infrastructure – in particular oil and gas pipelines and electricity pylons – and on extorting foreign and local companies.
Activities: In 2016, the ELN continued to target Colombia's infrastructure, particularly oil pipelines. The ELN also launched mortars at police stations and the military, placed explosive devices near roads, and engaged in sniper attacks, roadblocks, and ambushes. In February, the ELN initiated a wave of violent attacks to force a 72-hour economic shutdown in several parts of the country. On October 27, 2016, the ELN killed two civilian truck drivers in Arauca.
In June 2017, the ELN released two Dutch journalists that it had kidnapped, unharmed. Throughout 2017, the Government of Colombia and ELN conducted peace talks but did not ultimately reach an agreement. Rebel fighters continued attacks on the Colombian public, security forces, and infrastructure. A bilateral ceasefire was in place as of the end of 2017.
Strength: The group consists of about 1,500 combatants and an unknown number of supporters.
Location/Area of Operation: The group is based in the rural and mountainous areas of northern, northeastern, and southwestern Colombia as well as border regions with Venezuela.
Funding and External Aid: The ELN draws its funding from the illicit narcotics trade and from extortion of oil and gas companies. Additional funds are derived from kidnapping ransoms.
