Colombia’s army said Monday it had discovered a training camp which appears to have been used to train ELN members in constructing explosive devices.
The camp was hidden in the deep jungles of the Catatumbo region in the Norrte de Santander state and appears to have catered for up to 60 ELN soldiers.
The ELN (National Liberation Army) is the second biggest guerrilla group in Colombia.
According to local sources the camp was training ELN rebels in the handling and preparation of explosive devices and how to construct landmines.
At camp the government troops found 86 “booby trap” mines , 100 jars with black powder, 100 meters of detonating cord, 100 meters of safety fuse, ready cylinders for 20 attacks, four pumps, and various mine and grenade components such as metal pipes and objects to be used as shrapnel.
In addition, 60 backpacks, weapons and propaganda were found, along with two radios.
No REBELS were captured at the factory. It is reported that the discovery was made after the demobilization of two ELN men. The men abandoned their camp after reporting mistreatment, long working hours and a failure to meet promises on the part of the group’s leaders.
ELN announced plans for formal peace talks with the government in June 2014.
Sources