Venezuelan Army Strikes Armed Group Camp at the Border with Colombia: What We Know

Venezuelan military conducted an operation against the Colombian armed group "National Liberation Army" (ELN), operating in the border areas of the country. As a result of an airstrike on the group's camp, at least 19 people were killed. According to the LETA agency citing AFP, the operation became known on Sunday, November 1, from sources familiar with the actions of the Venezuelan army. Francisco Garcia, coordinator of the non-governmental organization FundaRedes, told AFP that the airstrike was carried out on Friday against the ELN camp in the Apure state, located on the border with Colombia. There is no independent confirmation of the number of casualties mentioned in the report. ### Armed Groups Operate Along the 2200-Kilometer Border The border between Venezuela and Colombia stretches approximately 2200 kilometers. A significant part of the border territory is poorly controlled by state structures, creating conditions for the activities of illegal armed formations. The region is home to groups linked to drug smuggling and illegal mining. Among them are the ELN and separate formations that emerged from the remnants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). After the peace agreement was signed in 2016 between the Colombian government and FARC, the ELN remained one of the largest active leftist armed groups in Latin America. ### Colombia Has Accused Caracas of Supporting Rebels for Years The relationship between Venezuela and Colombia has long been complicated by the presence of Colombian armed groups on Venezuelan territory. Colombian authorities have repeatedly accused the Venezuelan government of providing refuge and support to militants acting against the Colombian state. Caracas, under previous leadership, denied such accusations. ### Could the Operation Indicate a Change in Venezuela's Policy? According to AFP, the strike on the ELN camp occurred against the backdrop of changes in the political situation in Venezuela following the overthrow of Nicolás Maduro in January 2026 as a result of U.S. actions. The new leadership of the country is under pressure from Washington, and the military operation against Colombian rebels may indicate a reassessment of Caracas' previous approach to armed groups on its territory. However, it remains unclear whether this strike marks the beginning of a larger campaign against the ELN or is a separate military operation.