Colombia’s Peace Process Under Threat After Deadly Attack in Arauca

President Gustavo Petro is in the midst of intense discussions following the recent attack in Puerto Jordán, Arauca, which left two soldiers dead and 27 injured. This attack, attributed to the National Liberation Army (ELN), has led the administration to evaluate the continuation of the peace process with this guerrilla.

In a statement, Petro emphasized that the attack “closes a step of the process“, a position supported by the Home Secretary, Juan Fernando Cristo. The president also strongly condemned the attack, which has been described as a serious violation of humanitarian law and international human rights.

Attack in Arauca: A Tragic Reminder of the 2019 Santander General School Attack

This violent act takes place in a tense context, where the ELN had refused to renew the bilateral ceasefire. The ELN is demanding that the Government exclude them from the list of armed groups organized outside the law. The situation is tragic, reminiscent of the 2019 attack at the Santander General School, where 23 police officers died, prompting the administration of then president Iván Duque to cut off peace talks.

Victims and Aftermath of the Attack

The attack in Arauca has not only caused deep grief in the Army, but it has also spread terror in the local community. The soldiers who died in the attack were identified as Bayron Correa Vargas and Julian Patiño Arango. Reports indicate that the explosion took place a few meters from a school that is home to more than 300 minors.

A local teacher spoke of the horror experienced: “A very soft shot was heard, at first we thought it was shots from polygons, but soon the reality became much more frightening.” The scale of the explosion even affected the school’s structures, causing panic among students and staff.

“It was a moment of panic, someone doesn’t know what to do or what directive to give,” said the teacher, reflecting the atmosphere of uncertainty that existed in the area.