The U.S. attack on Venezuela has created a complex situation for guerrilla groups operating across the borderlands with Colombia. While fears of betrayal by Venezuelan regime officials loom large, the potential for a broader conflict looms, according to local security experts. This scenario has led to increased vigilance and strategic reconfiguration among these groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN), which has closed camps in Venezuela and suspended training operations. The ELN's leadership has long anticipated a U.S. attack, as evidenced by a letter sent to President Nicolás Maduro in 2019, warning of traitors within the Venezuelan military. The attack also presents an opportunity for the ELN to expand its continental ambitions, becoming a symbol of resistance across Latin America. However, the call for unity among armed groups to resist the U.S. has been met with skepticism, as some groups, like Ivan Mordisco's, are distrusted and considered too controversial. The ELN's history with the Venezuelan regime, dating back to Hugo Chávez's presidency, further complicates the situation. The U.S. and Colombia's Interior Minister have agreed to collaborate in combating the ELN, but the effectiveness of such efforts remains uncertain. Human rights advocates emphasize the need for a comprehensive peace strategy, empowering communities to defend life, peace, and human rights in Latin America.
