"Colombia's largest remaining rebel force has told civilians living under its authority to stay at home for three days while it stages military drills in response to burgeoning United States threats. The National Liberation Army (ELN), a left-wing rebel group, ordered the lockdown on Friday, instructing residents to keep off major routes and rivers from Sunday morning as fighters conduct what the group describes as preparations to defend the country against imperialist intervention."
"The move underscores a deepening confrontation between Washington and Bogota as Trump escalates rhetoric against Colombian President Gustavo Petro. Earlier this week, Trump told business executives that Petro had better wise up, or he'll be next, citing cocaine production as justification for potential action, and alluding to the US military build-up near Venezuela amid threats to remove its President Nicolas Maduro."
Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) ordered civilians living under its control to remain indoors for three days as it stages military drills, instructing residents to avoid major routes and rivers from Sunday morning. The ELN described the exercises as preparations to defend the country against imperialist intervention and urged civilians not to mix with fighters to avoid accidents. Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected the directive as criminal coercion and vowed government troops would maintain presence in every mountain, jungle and river. The move follows US warnings that cocaine-producing countries could face military strikes and recent US sanctions targeting Venezuela, heightening tensions between Washington and Bogotá.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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