Versión Español
EspañolSunday, February 19th, at about 10:30 am local time, an explosion shook La Macarena neighborhood in central Bogota near the Santamaría bullring, which was scheduled to host an event following several years of prohibition.
Local authorities searched for those responsible Monday, February 27, discovering that the guerrilla group ELN had been the ones to leave 25 uniformed soldiers wounded and one dead.
A statement released by the group established that the attack was aimed at the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad in charge of maintaining public order during protests, in this case to monitor animal rights groups gathered around the bullfighting ring.
According to ELN, it was their duty to attack the group, which they consider a form of repression against free speech in Colombia. They demanded that the national government reach a bilateral ceasefire with them as soon as possible.
Response from the government’s chief negotiator
Juan Camilo Restrepo, who is in charge of government negotiations with ELN, told members that escalating the armed conflict would not pressure the government into a bilateral ceasefire.
Si el ELN cree que con actos terroristas como el de la Macarena ( cuya autoría ahora reconoce con cinismo) va a presionar un cese al fuego.
— Juan Camilo Restrepo (@RestrepoJCamilo) February 27, 2017
Esta muy equivocado. El cese al fuego se alcanzará cuando el ELN comprenda que a él se llega desescalando, no escalando el conflicto.
— Juan Camilo Restrepo (@RestrepoJCamilo) February 27, 2017
Mayor Enrique Peñalosa’s Response
Mayor Enrique Peñalosa, who accused ELN of the attack from the beginning, rejected the ELN’s statement and said the group takes pride in a cowardly and criminal actions.
ELN se enorgullece de acción cobarde y criminal: asesinar a un jóven colombiano de origen humilde en uniforme y destrozar los ojos de otros
— Enrique Peñalosa (@EnriquePenalosa) February 27, 2017
Sources: El Espectador, Caracol Radio
