Colombia Orders Arrest of ELN Leaders Following Escalation of Violence

bogota, colombia - Colombia renews arrest orders for ELN commanders after surge in violence.

Colombia Orders Arrest of ELN Leaders

Colombia has once again ordered the arrest of commanders of guerrilla movement ELN following a surge in violence. The arrest warrants against 31 leaders of the group were suspended to facilitate peace talks.

President Gustavo Petro had already suspended peace negotiations after the violence escalated in the northeast of the country, where the guerrilla movement launched an offensive against a rival group last week. Authorities report that since then, dozens have died and nearly 32,000 people have fled their homes. Thousands of soldiers have been deployed to the area to quell the violence.

The unrest is putting pressure on the peace process in the country. The president is negotiating with multiple armed groups that control parts of the country. Colombia previously reached a peace deal with the major guerrilla group FARC in 2016.