Conflict & Security
Colombian military frees 39 people kidnapped by ELN
The Colombian military liberated 39 people on Tuesday after they were kidnapped by the National Liberation Army, or ELN, an official said.
The ELN had captured the group, which included a minor, on a highway in the remote Choco region, where the armed group has a strong presence.
General Hugo Lopez said on X that the 39 people had regained their freedom. He said two soldiers were killed in the operation to save them.
A military source said earlier, on condition of anonymity, that all those kidnapped were civilians traveling by bus.
The ELN is the largest active guerrilla group in Colombia and the oldest surviving guerrilla group in the Americas. The source item says it funds itself through drug trafficking and other illegal activities.
The group exerts control over residents of Choco, a Pacific coast region bordering Panama, and often clashes with security forces.
The government of outgoing leftist President Gustavo Petro unsuccessfully tried to negotiate peace with the ELN after he came to power in 2022. Experts cited in the source item say illegal armed groups have grown stronger in Colombia over the past four years, and kidnapping by drug traffickers is common.
Far-right president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is due to take office on August 7 and has promised to toughen security and bomb insurgents.
Update
General Hugo Lopez said the 39 people had regained their freedom.
Two soldiers were killed in the operation to save the kidnapped people.
A military source said the kidnapped people were civilians traveling by bus.
The source identifies the ELN as the oldest surviving guerrilla group in the Americas and says it funds itself through drug trafficking and other illegal activities.
The source adds context on ELN control and clashes in Choco, the outgoing Petro government's failed peace effort, and president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella's security promises.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 July 2026 at 20:28:24 UTC.
Update
A Colombian official said the military freed the 39 people who had been kidnapped by guerrillas.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 July 2026 at 20:05:45 UTC.
Update
The army said the 39 people included a minor.
A military source said the kidnapped people were civilians travelling by bus.
The Colombian army demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the kidnapped people.
The source adds context on ELN activity in Choco, past peace efforts and security promises by president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 July 2026 at 17:00:54 UTC.
Update
The army identified the alleged kidnappers as the National Liberation Army, or ELN.
The reported kidnapping happened on a road in the remote Choco region in northwest Colombia.
The army said a minor was among the 39 people kidnapped.
The army demanded that the ELN respect the captives' lives and well-being and release them immediately and unconditionally.
Source note: AFP news report published on 14 July 2026 at 15:57:10 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The military source who said the kidnapped people were civilians traveling by bus spoke on condition of anonymity.
Source
AFP news report published on .