Colombia’s second largest rebel group, the ELN, is trying to shut down road transport in the northeastern Arauca department, reported W Radio Sunday.
According to the radio station, rebels allegedly belonging to the ELN’s Eastern Front have put up pamphlets in the towns of Saravena, Fortul and Arauquita, delebrating the 33rd anniversary of the group.
A number of truck drivers were reportedly forced to abandon their vehicle at guerrilla road blocks.
According to W Radio, the rebel road blocks have effectively shut off the towns in the department from the rest of the world.
The ELN is Colombia’s second largest largest rebel group after the FARC and is assumed to have some 3,000 members. The group, founded in 1964, has recently expressed interest in peace talks with the state.
