RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The guerrillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN) threatened the Colombian state on Thursday (30) with responding to the death of the leader of its western front, alias ‘Fabián’, criticizing its use of force “disproportionately.”
“The government of (the president, Iván) Duque and the minister (of Defense, Diego) Molano have authorized us to disproportionately use force and explosives,” they warned, stressing that “the government and the military cannot return to remove biased arguments “that when the ELN uses” explosives, it is terrorism, but when they use it it is legal.”
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Thus, they have asked the ELN fighters to “prepare to surprise with actions of the same dimension, always respecting the integrity of the population.”
Death of ‘Fabian’. In a statement collected by Caracol Radio, they have also asked the Red Cross for an “official report” for the citizens and the national command of the ELN.
They review what happened from the bombing of the camp to the moment in which the attack is known. Finally, the ELN has invited the United Nations Security Council to reject the disproportionate use of force.
For his part, the Colombian Peace Commissioner, Juan Camilo Restrepo, has supported the Colombian Army operation that killed ‘Fabián’ and has urged the ELN not to threaten the Colombian people.
“The first thing to say is that they do not threaten the Colombian people. The second is that they should mourn for all the damage that has been done to the Colombian people with their actions, not mourn the death of alias’ Fabián ‘”, he has argued, reports Blu Radio.
Alias ’Fabián’ died in Cali after a bombing by the Colombian Army in the municipality of Istmina, in the department of Chocó, last week. Another ELN leader, alias ‘Carlitos’, was also said to have died there.
Now the western front of the ELN could be under the command of the alias ‘La Abuela’, for whose capture the government offers up to 1,000 million pesos (more than 220,000 euros).