The attack against a National Liberation Army (ELN) camp in the state of Apure, allegedly executed by the Bolivarian National Armed Forces on October 30, would have had support from drones and intelligence provided by the United Statesaccording to research published by The New York Times.
Four US officials consulted by the newspaper confirmed Washington’s participation in the FANB military operation. Although it is unknown who operated the drones used during the bombing, one of the sources indicated that The model is routinely operated by the US military.
According to the human rights organization Fundaredes, the operation against the ELN camp in Apure, in a rural area near the border with Colombia, left at least 23 dead and multiple injured.
The facility presumably functioned as a cocaine distribution center.
The regional coordinator of Fundaredes, Juan Francisco Garcíareported that inhabitants of farms near the camp heard two loud explosions on Friday morning. When they went to the site, they found scattered bodies among the remains of the bombed facility.
García warned that not all the victims belonged to the guerrilla. He pointed out that according to interviews with survivors and relatives, the list of deceased includes suppliers, pilots and relatives of ELN militants, including a woman of approximately 60 years of age.
The activist explained that some bodies had serious injuries caused by explosives and that the documents found next to certain victims belonged to Venezuelan citizens. As of Monday, November 2, less than half of the bodies had been identified.
According to the research cited by The New York Timesguerrilla organizations of Colombian origin managed to establish themselves in Venezuelan territory. Their permanence allowed them to expand operations linked to drug trafficking, as well as the illegal exploitation of minerals and the control of corridors on the border.
Rubio warned in September that the ELN could not continue operating in Venezuela
US officials have accused Nicolás Maduro and Diosdado Cabello of maintaining ties with the ELN to facilitate cocaine trafficking operations to the United States. Added to this are reports from the United Nations Organization (UN) that document the cooperation between members of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and the ELN in the illegal gold trafficking.
During his visit to Colombia in September, the head of US diplomacy, Marco Rubiowarned that the ELN could not continue operating with impunity in Venezuela. He assured that the matter had been discussed with Chavismo and maintained that it was necessary to confront the organization.
The attack on the camp in Apure coincides with the military offensive against the ELN guerrilla ordered by the president of Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella. According to estimates of The New York Timesthe armed group has approximately 6,000 combatants.
Given the accusations, Colombian military authorities They denied having participated in the operation carried out in Apure.
