National Liberation Army (ELN)
Name(s). National Liberation Army; ELN.
Goals and Objectives. The founders of ELN hoped to emulate Cuba’s Marxist revolution in Colombia. The group’s objectives are to overthrow the government of Colombia and replace the capitalist economy with a socialist system. The group claims to represent the oppressed poor in Colombia against the wealthy classes, and it opposes privatization and U.S. influence in Colombia.
Favored Tactics. ELN relies on kidnapping and extortion for funding, reportedly taking more than 800 hostages for ransom in 2001. ELN has also conducted bombing campaigns against multinational and domestic oil companies, including attacking oil pipelines.

Brief History. ELN was formed in 1964 by a group of students, Catholic radicals, and leftist intellectuals inspired by Che Guevara and trained in Cuba. For many years, the group was led by priests who opposed drugs and drug trafficking on moral grounds. Experts contend that this influence accounts for a relatively low level of drug-related activity within ELN, in comparison, for example, to FARC (see entry below). ELN and FARC, despite similar Marxist ideologies, have become rivals.

Favored Tactics. ELN relies on kidnapping and extortion for funding, reportedly taking more than 800 hostages for ransom in 2001. ELN has also conducted bombing campaigns against multinational and domestic oil companies, including attacking oil pipelines.

Anti-American Activities. The group opposes U.S. influence in Colombia and has attacked U.S. interests, particularly energy companies. In 1998, ELN activists bombed and ransacked a Dole-owned subsidiary and attacked the Ocensa pipeline, which is jointly owned by a consortium of American, British, French, Canadian, and Colombian companies. The group has also kidnapped Americans for ransom.

Areas of Operation. ELN is based in rural and mountainous areas of north, northeast, and southwest Colombia and in border areas of Venezuela. The group has also reportedly used Bolivian territory.

Strength and Composition. The State Department estimates ELN strength between 3,000 and 5,000 armed militants, plus an unknown number of active supporters. It thus appears to be roughly one third the size of Colombia’s other leftist militant group FARC (see entry below).

Connections With Other Terrorist Organizations. There are no known connections between ELN and other terrorist organizations.

State Supporters and Other Sources of Funding. Most of ELN’s funding comes from kidnapping and extortion against wealthy Colombians, government officials, and employees of multinational corporations, particularly oil companies. In addition, the group has now reportedly entered the illegal drug trade. Until the early 1990s, ELN received support from Cuba. However, in recent years Castro has attempted to broker peace agreements between the ELN and the Colombian government. It is unclear whether the group continues to receive support from Castro.

Originally Designated as an FTO. October 8, 1997.

Re-designated. October 8, 1999, October 5, 2001.

Issues of Concern for Congress. This group poses a serious threat to U.S. citizens and interests in Colombia and is apparently now involved in drug trafficking. It is a threat to the stability of the Colombian government.