Colombia blames ELN rebels for attack on presidential candidate

BOGOTA (Reuters) – The National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombia’s second-biggest guerrilla group, was behind the attack this weekend on a leftist presidential candidate, the country’s top defence official said yesterday.

A convoy carrying Aida Avella, 65, a contender from the Patriotic Union party, came under fire on Sunday as it traveled on a highway in the oil-rich northeastern province of Arauco, where rebels of the ELN have a strong presence.

Police and military intelligence overheard conversations between members of the ELN, referring to the shots fired at her vehicle, Defence Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon told reporters.

“In a specific manner, they talk about how the 12-vehicle convoy mobilized, how they tried to stop the presidential candidate’s convoy and when they could not, they opened fire,” Pinzon said.

Avella represents UP, a party founded in 1985 after a failed peace process brokered by then President Belisario Betancur with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, a Marxist rebel group.

Some 5,000 members and supporters of the UP were killed in the years after its creation by right-wing paramilitary groups set up by vigilantes protecting wealthy landowners.

Avella has just 2 per cent of support among the electorate for the May 25 elections, according to a February opinion poll which put Santos in the lead with 34.7 per cent.