Camilla Jessen
Armed groups vow fight against US over Venezuela.
Armed groups operating along the Colombian-Venezuelan border have issued new threats following a dramatic turn in regional politics. Their statements came just one day after a US military operation led to the capture of Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro.
Messages shared online suggest the fallout could extend beyond Venezuela’s borders.
According to AFP, the Colombian guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN) published a statement on Telegram declaring it was ready to confront what it called the “imperial plans” of the United States.
The group said it was joining “all patriots, democrats and revolutionaries” to oppose actions against Venezuela and “the peoples of South America.”
FARC dissidents issued a similar warning.
These fighters, who rejected the 2016 peace deal with Colombia’s government, said on X that they were prepared to fight “to the last drop of blood” against the US “empire,” if required. They added that “sooner or later, the Yankee empire will fall,” according to AFP.
Armed groups and Venezuela
Security analysts cited by AFP say these guerrilla factions are deeply involved in cocaine trafficking and have long operated in remote border areas.
They are believed to move freely in parts of Venezuelan territory, benefiting from weak state control and, in some cases, tolerance from Venezuelan security forces. Tense relations between Caracas and Washington have also allowed such groups to entrench themselves in the region.
Experts warn that the capture of Maduro could further destabilise these already fragile areas, giving armed groups new motivation to escalate their rhetoric and actions.
Colombia on alert
In response to the rising tension, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the deployment of around 30,000 soldiers to reinforce border crossings with Venezuela.
Authorities in Bogotá have placed the country on heightened alert, citing fears that illegal armed groups could attempt attacks or exploit the current uncertainty.
The Colombian-Venezuelan border has long been volatile, shaped by armed groups, drug trafficking routes and weak state presence.
Officials now fear that recent developments could trigger a rapid deterioration in security, with regional consequences.
Sources: AFP, Agerpres
