Overview
- The ELN declared a 72-hour armed strike confining civilians and curbing commerce and transport until 6 a.m. local time Wednesday.
- President Gustavo Petro told Colombians to continue Christmas activities without fear and directed security forces to attack the ELN.
- The army reported foiling multiple explosive attempts on roads in Norte de Santander and Cauca during the first day of the strike.
- According to the human rights ombudswoman, ELN fighters attacked an army base in Arauca and a police station in Norte de Santander, where an ambulance driver was killed during exchanges of fire.
- Colombia’s peace delegation condemned the action as harmful to communities, while talks remain stalled as the ELN frames the strike as a response to U.S. naval deployments and Trump’s threats.