NORTE DE SANTANDER, COLOMBIA – FEBRUARY 4, 2026 Colombian armed forces carried out a targeted military operation in the northeastern region of Colombia known as Catatumbo, between the municipalities of Tibú and El Tarra in the Norte de Santander department. The operation involved precise aerial bombardments and coordinated ground actions aimed at striking a guerrilla camp of the ELN armed group.
According to official sources, the camp hosted at least 60 members, with 7 fighters killed and one captured during the attack. Colombian forces also seized weapons and other materials, and continue to implement control and security measures in the affected area.
The Catatumbo region has long been a conflict zone, where the ELN and other armed groups compete for territorial control and drug trade routes. Violent clashes often endanger civilians and have caused the internal displacement of thousands. Following the strike, the ELN carried out smaller attacks on military targets in the area, highlighting the ongoing instability of the region.
The ELN, or Ejército de Liberación Nacional (National Liberation Army), is a leftist guerrilla organization founded in the 1960s that fights against the Colombian government. The group funds itself through kidnappings, extortion, and territorial control and is considered a terrorist organization.
