Colombia President Announces ELN Leaders Killed in Operation Onix

Ten members of the ELN, including two top commanders, were killed during a military operation in El Tambo, Cauca. President Abelardo de la Espriella announced that the "Operation Onix" strike targeted the José María Becerra Front, aiming to dismantle the guerrilla's command structure and control over strategic corridors toward the Pacific coast Source: La República.

The operation resulted in the deaths of alias Marcos Pacífico (Neftalí Riasco Alegría) and alias Ochenta (Murillo). While the President confirmed these identities immediately, some outlets noted that formal identification via forensic procedures is still pending Source: El Colombiano. Marcos Pacífico, a commander with over 35 years of criminal activity, was accused of orchestrating more than 126 terrorist actions, including a 2022 bombing in Cali that injured 13 police officers Source: infobae. The government described this as the hardest blow against the ELN in eight years Source: El Tiempo.

Intelligence gathering played a crucial role in the success of the raid. Sources indicate that surveillance lasted for years, involving aerial monitoring and cooperation with United States intelligence agencies to track the leaders' routines and camp locations Source: infobae. During the assault, authorities seized seven rifles, one pistol, and two grenades, while also discovering a campsite capable of housing approximately 25 fighters Source: La República.

Despite the official announcement, initial reports from other media outlets suggested varying casualty counts, with some citing eight or nine dead before final verification Source: El Tiempo; Source: La Silla Vacía. This discrepancy highlights the ongoing process of confirming identities in active conflict zones. Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the region, with reports of FARC dissident patrols in nearby Corinto causing commercial disruptions Source: El Tiempo. The Ministry of Defense affirmed that state forces will maintain their presence in the Cauca to consolidate territorial control and protect civilians Source: infobae.