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Colombia's government blames National Liberation Army for attack on police base
apnews.com • • world
Key Points:
- Colombia's government blamed the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group for a truck bomb explosion outside a police base in Cucuta, injuring 11 officers and killing a police dog.
- The attack damaged the police headquarters building in Norte de Santander Province and was described by police officials as a "vile terrorist attack."
- Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez offered a $60,000 reward for information leading to those responsible for the car bombing.
- The incident occurs shortly before the inauguration of President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, who plans to take a tougher military stance against rebel groups like the ELN and resume aerial fumigation of coca crops.
- The ELN, with an estimated 6,000 fighters, has shifted from its original social justice goals to criminal activities such as drug trafficking and illegal mining, complicating peace efforts that collapsed in 2023 after deadly ELN attacks.
