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5 Colombian troops killed in suspected ELN attack

Tuesday, 27 February 2018 7:25 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 27 February 2018 7:28 PM ]

The file photo made available by the Colombian Army shows soldiers carrying the body of an alleged member of National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group after clashes in an unannounced place. (Photo by EPA)

Five Colombian soldiers were killed and 10 others wounded in a bomb attack near the Venezuelan border blamed on ELN guerrillas, the head of the army said Tuesday.

The attack comes a day after the National Liberation Army announced a temporary ceasefire to coincide with next month's legislative elections.

Army General Ricardo Gomez said the soldiers were on highway security duty in a rural area near Tibu, in the Norte de Santander department, when a blast hit the first vehicle of their convoy.

"We have five of our men assassinated and 10 wounded," Gomez told W Radio station, blaming ELN guerrillas active in the region.

The survivors have been hospitalized, one of them in serious condition, Gomez said.

"Absolute repudiation of the cowardly attack against our heroes," tweeted President Juan Manuel Santos, vowing to "go after those responsible" -- without mentioning the ELN by name.

The ELN, which took up arms in 1964, began peace talks with the Colombian government a year ago in the Ecuadoran capital Quito. Talks however broke down in January.

The photo, taken on November 18, 2017, shows members of the "Omar Gomez" Western War Front of the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla lining up in their camp on the banks of the San Juan River, Choco department, Colombia. (Photo by EPA)

Santos is hoping to reach a peace deal with the 1,500-strong rebel force similar to the one he struck with the much larger FARC, a rebel group that has since disarmed and transformed into a political party.

That peace deal ended a five decades-long conflict and guaranteed 10 seats for the FARC in Colombia's congress.

Since peace talks broke down the ELN has carried out several bomb attacks, killing eight police officers and wounding scores of others.

Security forces in turn have captured or killed several suspected ELN members.

In announcing their March 9-13 truce, the ELN also urged Santos to set a date to resume negotiations.

Santos, who leaves office in August after a second four-year term, had positive words for the ELN's Monday announcement. "That's the kind of gestures we were asking for," he said.

It's unclear what impact the bombing will have on the resumption of peace talks if the ELN's responsibility is confirmed.

(Source: AFP)

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