Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN) (Colombia), GROUPS - AMERICAS - ACTIVE

Overview
The Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) is a left-wing rebel group primarily based and operating in Colombia, with a strong presence in Norte de Santander department bordering Venezuela. The group aims to establish a socialist government and, to this end, has carried out attacks against the state, particularly focusing on economic targets. Nevertheless, the group's capacity has been weakened in recent years - both as a result of counter-terrorism operations and attacks by right-wing paramilitaries - and it has shown a willingness to engage in negotiations with the government. However, in December 2009, the ELN released a joint statement with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) which indicated a renewed intent to target the Colombian government. The statement read: "We want to work for unity to face, firmly and with belligerence, the current regime". This renewed belligerence was evidenced in early January 2010 when a soldier was kidnapped and killed by the group. Three Partido Social de Unidad Nacional activists were also kidnapped by the militants in two separate incidents in the Arauca department on 2 February. ELN then sent a letter to a local councillor in Arauca department on 24 April in which it threatened to kill any campaigners from either the Cambio Radical or Partido Social de Unidad Nacional parties which entered the province. Both parties are members of the ruling coalition which is supportive of outgoing President Alvaro Uribe. ELN made a return to attacking economic targets on 27 April 2010 with the destruction of a

Targets, tactics and methodology
The ELN specialises in tactics of economic sabotage. The group has targeted infrastructure, including power lines, bridges and dams, roads and oil pipelines. For instance, the group was found responsible for the bombing of an oil pipeline in Arauca department in December 2000 which caused severe environmental and economic damage to the region. All such actions seek to undermine the authority of the Bogotá government and demoralise its supporters and so mobilise Colombians against the administration. However, in a statement issued on 7 March 2012, the ELN claimed that it would be willing to cease attacks on the oil industry in Colombia on the condition that the government paid the group a USD 10 per barrel "social tax" on the production of crude oil. The group also demanded that the government cease all oil-related activities in indigenous reserves and nature parks, and that authorities pay reparations to local communities that had suffered environmental and social damage caused by the oil industry. It added that the payments to communities could be financed by the proposed USD 10 per barrel tax. Although today the ideological basis behind kidnap for ransom in Colombia is less apparent, with substantial profits appearing to be the main motive, it nevertheless remains an important line of attack. Though the great majority of kidnap victims are local, the abduction (and murder) of high-profile individuals is still used for barter and intimidation. The kidnap of executives affects company management structures and along with the seizure of wealthy landowners,

The complete article appears in the following publication:
Publication Title	Jane's World Insurgency and Terrorism
Publication date	Mar 09, 2012
Section	GROUPS - AMERICAS - ACTIVE
Publication synopsis	Jane's World Insurgency and Terrorism profiles every significant terrorist and insurgent movement worldwide with 'at-a-glance' summaries of threat levels, status, founding date, aims and objectives, and leadership. In-depth threat analyses focus on recent attacks, claims of responsibility, targeting and tactics, personnel and recruitment, operational preparedness and limiting factors. The portfolio of profiles for active groups is deepened as new groups emerge to provide the greatest level of coverage and analysis possible. Regular updates of the most active groups allow you to keep track of terrorist activity globally and ensure that notable shifts in doctrine, leadership and capabilities are captured.
In addition to a detailed threat assessment, group profiles also address	Sources of funding Alliances Sources of weapons Organisation and command structure Political and religious affiliation Propaganda techniques Leader biographies Overview of campaign
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