AND CONFIRMED!

The National Liberation Army (ELN), through its Eastern War Front, confirmed and took responsibility for the kidnapping of five professional soldiers of the National Army. The soldiers were kidnapped on Sunday, November 9, in the morning, while they were traveling in civilian clothes on a bus in the municipality of Tame, Arauca.

Kidnapping as “Territorial Control”

According to the statement published on its website, the armed group indicated that the soldiers, assigned to Brigade 18, were intercepted in the Santo Domingo village in an act that the ELN cynically described as a “result of the territorial control action” in the rural area of ​​Tame.

Identities and Active Search of the kidnapped soldiers

The five professional soldiers, all between 21 and 23 years old and part of the 18th Field Artillery Battalion, were identified as: Muñoz Castro Andrés Felipe, Muñoz Zapata Sergio, Muñoz Osorio César, Navarro Banquet Luis Ángel and Munive Sandoval Daniel José.

The Army, Navy, Air Force and Police have activated coordinated operations in the area to achieve their prompt and safe release. The 18th Brigade requested citizen collaboration through the national toll-free line 147, guaranteeing absolute confidentiality.

Also read: Five soldiers kidnapped by ELN when they were on a bus: Army reveals their identities
Direct Threat by Military Rescue

In a move that increases tension, the ELN held the National Government and the Armed Forces directly responsible for the integrity of those detained. The guerrilla group warned of the serious consequences that could arise from any “military rescue attempt” that could be undertaken in the area. This act and the threat complicate the operations of the authorities within the framework of the ‘Total Peace’ policy.