On October 30, the Venezuelan military allegedly launched an airstrike on a camp belonging to the National Liberation Army (ELN) in Apure state, which borders Colombia. This operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of 19 guerrillas and, if verified, would signify a historic shift in the relationship between the Chávez regime and this armed group.
The non-governmental organization Fundaredes reported the attack took place in Buena Vista del Meta, Pedro Camejo municipality, and shared a video with the AFP showing scattered bodies, fallen trees, and remnants of the destroyed camp.
Javier Tarazona, director of Fundaredes, stated that one of their coordinators saw nine bodies, and ten additional deaths were reported in the area, as per information gathered by El Pitazo.
Tarazona described the incident as Venezuela's "first bombing against the ELN," while human rights advocate Rocío San Miguel confirmed receiving reports from locals about the attack and its casualties. She warned of significant fear among residents due to the guerrilla's pressure on the local population.
A New Military Strategy in Apure
Juan Francisco García, Fundaredes coordinator in Apure, noted that operations to expel irregular groups from the territory had been underway since October 28. In statements to NTN24, he linked the change in military behavior to the political situation following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3.
García remarked that such an operation would have been "impossible" in the past, due to the historical ties between Venezuelan authorities, the ELN, and other irregular organizations operating along the Colombian border.
Decades of Complicity with Guerrillas
For over two decades, the Chávez regime allowed vast areas of Venezuela to serve as a sanctuary, logistical base, and narcotics trafficking corridor for Colombian guerrillas.
A European Union Asylum Agency report published in July 2026 documented the ELN's presence in Venezuelan territory and included accusations of collaboration with state security forces to control border areas and drug trafficking routes.
InSight Crime, a specialized organization, has also documented how the ELN established its presence in states such as Apure, Táchira, and Amazonas, creating cooperative relationships with Venezuelan military and political sectors. In 2022, for example, the guerrillas participated alongside Venezuelan forces in operations against FARC dissidents in Apure, enhancing their territorial control.
Shifting Alliances Amidst Political Changes
The alleged bombing comes as Caracas rapidly approaches Washington following Maduro's fall. Under the interim government of Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela reestablished diplomatic relations with the United States in March and expanded energy and security cooperation.
In September, Washington removed Venezuela from the list of governments deemed non-compliant with anti-drug commitments, although it remains a major drug transit territory.
This shift aligns with Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella's offensive against armed groups. On October 22, a bombing against the ELN in Cauca resulted in ten guerrilla deaths, as reported by Bogotá on October 25. Another operation on October 28 against the Gulf Clan in Chocó left seven dead, according to the Colombian Presidency.
Implications for Cuba and Regional Dynamics
For Cuba, the alleged attack on the ELN signals a weakening of the political and strategic alliances that have historically supported Chávez's and Castro's regimes.
Havana not only maintained a close political, economic, and military partnership with Caracas but also has a long history of relations with Colombian guerrillas, including the ELN, to whom it provided revolutionary inspiration, training, and support during their early years.
Declassified CIA documents, published by the National Security Archive at George Washington University, identify the ELN among Colombian insurgent movements that received Cuban funding in the 1960s and document the training of Colombian guerrillas on the island.
Since Maduro's capture, Rodríguez's government has progressed in a realignment that directly impacts Havana.
Venezuelan oil supplies to Cuba remain suspended under U.S. export control, while a Reuters investigation revealed the withdrawal of Cuban advisors from Venezuelan security and intelligence agencies, replaced in certain roles by national staff.
Additionally, Delcy Rodríguez's recent announcements about democratic reforms, elections, private property guarantees, and potential restitution of expropriated goods contrast with the Cuban regime's traditional defense of the Chavista model.
While many of these promises have yet to materialize, the political and economic distance between former allies is increasingly evident.
If Venezuelan military action against the ELN is confirmed, it would add another chapter to this regional transformation, leaving Havana progressively more isolated, deprived of former allies, resources, and strategic influence mechanisms.
As of the closure of this edition, the Venezuelan government had not released an official statement confirming the Apure bombing or the death toll.
Venezuelan Military Actions and Regional Impacts
What was the outcome of the alleged Venezuelan military operation against the ELN?
The operation reportedly resulted in 19 guerrilla deaths, marking a significant shift in Venezuela's stance towards the ELN.
How has Venezuela's political alignment shifted post-Maduro?
Under Delcy Rodríguez's interim government, Venezuela has reestablished diplomatic relations with the U.S., expanded energy and security cooperation, and announced potential democratic reforms.
What implications does the alleged attack have for Cuba?
The attack signals a weakening of Cuba's longstanding alliances with Venezuela, impacting their political and economic ties.