Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Colombian president blames ELN rebels for Bogota blasts

-

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Friday blamed leftist ELN guerrillas for two explosions that rocked Bogota and left 10 people slightly injured a day earlier.

"The indications are that those responsible are the ELN, the evidence so far is in this direction," the president said after a security meeting at his palace, accusing the ELN of trying to "provoke fear and cause terror."

Soon thereafter on Friday night, two devices containing propaganda leaflets related to ELN were detonated in downtown Bogota.

Police have arrested a man allegedly connected to the incident, national police chief Rodolfo Palomino told a press conference.

No one was injured in the explosions.

The National Liberation Army (ELN) is Colombia's second-largest guerrilla group, after the FARC, and is in preliminary peace talks with the government, though little progress has been made.

The low-intensity blasts Thursday may have been an attempt to influence the talks in some way, Santos said.

Between February and March, at least six minor blasts went off in different parts of the Colombian capital, leaving a dozen injured.

The explosions were blamed on a criminal gang that operated for the ELN.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Friday blamed leftist ELN guerrillas for two explosions that rocked Bogota and left 10 people slightly injured a day earlier.

“The indications are that those responsible are the ELN, the evidence so far is in this direction,” the president said after a security meeting at his palace, accusing the ELN of trying to “provoke fear and cause terror.”

Soon thereafter on Friday night, two devices containing propaganda leaflets related to ELN were detonated in downtown Bogota.

Police have arrested a man allegedly connected to the incident, national police chief Rodolfo Palomino told a press conference.

No one was injured in the explosions.

The National Liberation Army (ELN) is Colombia’s second-largest guerrilla group, after the FARC, and is in preliminary peace talks with the government, though little progress has been made.

The low-intensity blasts Thursday may have been an attempt to influence the talks in some way, Santos said.

Between February and March, at least six minor blasts went off in different parts of the Colombian capital, leaving a dozen injured.

The explosions were blamed on a criminal gang that operated for the ELN.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Tech & Science

The groundbreaking initiative aims to provide job training and confidence to people with autism.

Tech & Science

Microsoft and Google drubbed quarterly earnings expectations.

Entertainment

Steve Carell stars in the title role of "Uncle Vanya" in a new Broadway play ay Lincoln Center.

Business

Catherine Berthet (L) and Naoise Ryan (R) join relatives of people killed in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Boeing 737 MAX crash at a...