Colombia President-elect Vows Military Offensive Against Armed Groups

President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is scheduled to take office this Friday with a pledge to terminate peace negotiations and initiate a new military offensive against Colombia's remaining armed groups. De la Espriella has issued a one-month ultimatum for these groups to surrender or face military action. His proposed security strategy includes expanding cooperation with the United States and the construction of large-scale prisons.

The National Liberation Army (ELN), a Marxist-Leninist guerrilla group with roughly 6,300 members, has responded by signaling its readiness to return to war. Yerson, a commander of the ELN's Western War Front, stated that the group will launch offensives in both cities and the countryside if directed by its national leadership.

The ELN currently maintains strongholds in the Chocó department, where it funds operations through kidnappings and the taxation of illegal logging and gold mining. The group remains engaged in violent territorial disputes with the Gulf Clan for control of the San Juan River. This shift in policy marks a departure from the total peace approach attempted by outgoing President Gustavo Petro.