ELN kidnaps 39 people in Chocó, two soldiers killed in rescue attempt

The ELN kidnapped 39 people, including a minor, from two buses on the Quibdó–Carmen de Atrato road in Chocó on July 14, 2026. The military responded with a rescue operation, which was ambushed by the guerrillas, leading to casualties.

The kidnapping

According to the Army's Seventh Division, armed ELN members intercepted two buses operated by Rápido Ochoa in the Toldas sector, forcing the drivers to block the road and taking 39 passengers—including a reported 2-year-old girl Source: El Tiempo—to an unknown location. The Army condemned the act and demanded immediate release Source: Lasillavacia.

Military response

Troops from Brigade 15 and Jungle Infantry Group No. 9 deployed to secure the area. During the advance, the ELN triggered explosives and attacked the soldiers. Reports vary on casualties: Lasillavacia and Infobae report two soldiers killed and five wounded Source: Lasillavacia, while El Tiempo initially stated one soldier killed and six wounded, later adjusting to two killed and five wounded Source: El Tiempo. The inconsistency highlights confusion in the immediate aftermath.

Official reaction

Governor Nubia Carolina Córdoba urged travelers to avoid the route until safety is guaranteed Source: Lasillavacia. President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, who campaigned on a "mano dura" security policy, repeated his ultimatum for armed groups to surrender within a month Source: Lasillavacia. Vice President Francia Márquez issued a strong rejection of the ELN's actions Source: El Tiempo.