Colombia puts military on alert

COLOMBIA has put its armed forces on maximum alert following the announcement of a nationwide three-day “armed strike” by left-wing guerrillas, the government said on Monday.

ELN commander Uriel announced on social media the “72-hour armed strike in the national territory” from Friday.

The ELN is the last recognized guerrilla movement still fighting authorities in Colombia and can count on around 2,300 fighters.

“All the country’s units are on maximum alert to deal with any requirement to protect the population,” said Defense Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo.

He said the armed forces would “respond with the adequate and legitimate firmness, and with all the rigor, in the face of these terrorists’ threats.”

The ELN has announced armed strikes before but never on a nationwide level.

The group warned citizens against using roads during the strike, adding that “staying in their homes will avoid unfortunate consequences.”