South Americaupdated 57m ago2 min read
MapVenezuelan Army Bombs ELN Camp Near Colombia Border in Apure, Leaving At Least 19 Dead
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Venezuelan army reportedly bombs ELN camp near Colombian border in Apure state. At least 19 people killed in the attack, per activist Fundaredes report.
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Alleged bombing in Apure
The Venezuelan Army allegedly bombed a camp belonging to the National Liberation Army (ELN) in Buena Vista del Meta, in Venezuela's Apure state near the Colombian border, according to preliminary reports that authorities had not confirmed. Former Venezuelan lawmaker Juan Francisco García Escalona said the operation took place on Friday and left at least 19 dead, with nine bodies reportedly transferred to San Fernando de Apure for forensic examinations.
Rocío San Miguel, president of Control Ciudadano for Security, Defense and the National Armed Forces, said on X that local reports indicated a presumed bombing by the Venezuelan Army against an ELN camp in Buena Vista of the Meta, Edo Apure, border with Colombia. The reports also said another 10 bodies remained at the site and an undetermined number of wounded people crossed into Colombian territory, while the victims' identities had not been officially confirmed.
Competing death tolls
Fundaredes coordinator Juan Francisco García Escalona denounced the operation and stated that nine people would have died and their bodies would have been moved to San Fernando, where a national Cicpc commission would conduct forensic procedures. El Nacional said García Escalona denounced the operation and stated that nine people would have died and their bodies would have been moved to San Fernando, where a national Cicpc commission would conduct forensic procedures.
Nine bodies were reportedly transferred to San Fernando de Apure for forensic examinations, while another 10 bodies reportedly remained at the site and an undetermined number of wounded people crossed into Colombian territory. El Mundo framed the attack as Caracas' first major military action against a group that had been its close ally for the past two decades, and it said the FANB attacked on Friday a camp of the ELN in Buena Vista del Meta, in the border state of Apure.
Regional clashes and fallout
Juan Francisco García Escalona linked the reported clashes in Venezuela's border region to disputes over control of areas used for mineral extraction, including bauxite and coltan, and he said residents and Indigenous communities reported fighting in Los Pijiguaos in western Bolívar state and near Paso del Burro. El Mundo said the close alliance between the ELN and the chavista revolution had endured other moments of tension, including clashes and even the kidnapping of Venezuelan soldiers, but it said political interests had prevailed over temporary disagreements.
Rocío San Miguel said local reports indicated the alleged bombing involved discharged members of the ELN and she added that official information from the State was expected to indicate the total number of deaths and the scope of the military operation. The Venezuelan operation coincided with an operation launched by the new Colombian government at its border with Venezuela, and it quoted a rebel lieutenant, José Rodríguez Araña, saying Washington had instructed the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense to accompany operations against the guerrilla and against the ELN.