Venezuelans living in a region bordering Colombia have requested that a radio station operated by the guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN) be removed from the air, according to Caracol Radio.
A group of Venezuelan teachers from the Tachira state have complained that the radio station operated by the Colombian rebel organization has been influencing the young people of their community.
Other regions along the border, the Colombian side of which is one of the ELN’s primary areas of operation, have also complained to authorities of the increased intensity of the broadcasts.
FACT SHEET: ELN areas of influence
The ELN and the government have been fighting since 1964. It is Colombia’s second largest guerrilla group was originally formed as a Marxist-Leninist/Liberation Theology movement.
Today, however, the group as currently constituted bears little resemblance to its founding ideology. The ELN regularly kidnaps and targets multinational oil corporations in its rebellious acts, as its strongholds are found in oil-rich areas.
In June of this year, days before presidential elections won by the sitting president, Juan Manuel Santos, the government and the ELN announced the beginning of exploratory peace talks. These talks are yet to formally begin.
MORE: ELN calls for bilateral ceasefire in event of peace talks
Tachira, Venezuela
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