November 1, 2026 from Caracas
The Colombian rebel group has vowed to resist against de la Espriella’s “total offensive” and condemned US intervention in the region. (AFP)
At least 19 people were killed in a Venezuelan military airstrike against a camp of the Colombian guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN) on the Venezuelan side of the border, an NGO and sources close to the operation told AFP yesterday.
Fundaredes, an organization active in the area, had initially reported nine deaths in the unprecedented bombing carried out early Friday morning in the border state of Apure.
“First, there are the nine bodies that arrived in San Fernando (the capital of Apure)” on Friday, and there are “another 10 bodies” that were transported on Saturday, said Juan Francisco García, the group’s coordinator.
The attack was carried out using armed helicopters and drones against the camp located in a forested area southwest of Apure, according to a military source linked to the operation who spoke on condition of anonymity.
He added that they received intelligence support from the United States. “We were helped by people from the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) and the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation). This was an order from the United States.” AFP tried to contact the authorities but received no response.
“Mutilated”
Fundaredes shared a video showing several bodies scattered on the ground, fallen trees, and the ruins of what appears to be the camp.
The attack occurred near the village of Buena Vista del Meta, home to about 1,000 people, which borders the Colombian department of Vichada (in the east).
The bodies were initially transported to the town of Puerto Páez, 150 kilometers from where the bombing took place. “Several were completely mangled. When they were being taken to (the city of) San Fernando, they still smelled of burnt flesh,” said a resident of the community.
They were then taken to the morgue in San Fernando, the state capital 500 kilometers away, and were finally buried in a cemetery in Camaguán, in the neighboring state of Guárico.
The attack took the guerrillas by surprise; they had no time to react, according to a source close to the operation.
Militarized Zone
The source explained that most of the deceased, including one woman, were Venezuelans. However, two Dominicans were identified as having Venezuelan driver’s licenses and identification documents. Residents of the area said the site remains occupied by Venezuelan military personnel.
“We’re going to continue combing the area because we believe there are more camps,” said the source.
Human rights advocate and military affairs expert Rocío San Miguel said the attack reflects a “change in doctrine” within the Venezuelan armed forces, which had previously remained neutral regarding the presence of the ELN and other guerrilla groups operating at various points along the border.
The two countries share a 2,219-kilometer border where these groups control drug trafficking and illegal mining. Ranchers in Apure accuse this guerrilla group of seizing productive farms and engaging in extortion and theft for the past decade, as well as contributing to the displacement of indigenous populations.
For years, Colombia accused the Chavista government of harboring illegal Colombian forces on its territory. However, this year Caracas aligned itself with U.S. interests following the kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro during an operation in January and the assumption of office by Delcy Rodríguez as interim president.
The United States provided support in the form of intelligence and area mapping, according to the military source. Preparations began a month ago.
Source: La Jornada, translation Resumen Latinoamericano – US