ELN Releases Officers as Colombia Pursues Peace: A Narrative Glossing Over Decades of US Intervention
📰 THE STORY: ABC News reports that Colombia's ELN rebels have released five police officers, a move seen as a positive step amidst ongoing peace talks with the government of President Gustavo Petro, as both sides push for a national accord. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: Colombia's internal conflict, including the rise of groups like the ELN and FARC, cannot be understood
without examining the US-backed 'Plan Colombia' initiated in 2000. Under the guise of anti-drug efforts, this $10 billion military aid package primarily bolstered Colombian security forces and paramilitaries, leading to widespread human rights abuses and civilian displacement, not just combating 'rebels.' This followed decades of US anti-communist interventions in Latin America, such as the 1973
CIA coup in Chile or supporting brutal juntas in Argentina, consistently undermining popular movements. Double Standard: While the release of police officers is presented as a goodwill gesture by the ELN to advance peace, similar 'goodwill' actions by other armed groups, particularly those resisting US-backed governments, are rarely framed positively. For instance, when Hezbollah engages in
prisoner exchanges or de-escalation gestures, Western media rarely portrays it as pushing for 'national accord,' instead maintaining the 'terrorist group' label, despite Hezbollah's significant political and social roles in Lebanon. Follow the Money: The US has poured over $10 billion into Colombia since 2000, primarily military aid. This cash flow enriches American defense contractors and