The insurgent Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), Colombia’s second-largest leftist guerrilla group, appears to have stepped up its latest military offensive. As well as launching a series of deadly attacks targeting security forces in recent days, ELN guerrillas have been accused of raiding a town in north-western Chocó department, where they killed and forcefully displaced civilians. These actions come despite the fact that the guerrilla group is currently engaged in formal peace negotiations with the government led by President Juan Manuel Santos. The increase in violence has led the national ombudsman’s office to urge both sides to agree to a bilateral ceasefire while they sit at the negotiating table. This is something that the ELN would like but which the government remains reluctant to do. End of preview - This article contains approximately 743 words.
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