The ELN and its 'tribunals': how the Eastern Front operates, accused of subjecting hostages to clandestine 'trials'
The Eastern War Front of the ELN has not only held four state officials captive for more than a year: two police officers and two Prosecutor's Office employees, but has also imposed sentences of up to 60 months in an alleged internal trial.
TL;DR
- The ELN's Eastern War Front has 'sentenced' four state officials, including two CTI agents (Jesus Antonio Pacheco and Rodrigo Antonio Lopez) and two police officers (Frankie Hoyos Murcia and Yordin Fabian Perez Mendoza), to 60, 55, and 36 months respectively.
- These officials have been held captive for over a year.
- The alleged 'trials' are conducted internally by the ELN and are not legally recognized.
- Intelligence indicates William Ernesto Cruz Lopez, alias Cendales, is the military chief of this front in Arauca and is wanted by authorities.
- The Eastern War Front has significant influence in Arauca, Boyacá, Vichada, Guainía, and Casanare, as well as in Venezuelan states.
- Gustavo Aníbal Giraldo, alias Pablito, was the official commander of this front until 2016 and reportedly still issues key orders.
- The front is estimated to have over 1,000 members and operates through various sub-structures like the Domingo Laín Sáenz and Héroes y Mártires structures.
- Colombian judicial bodies, including the Prosecutor's Office and the Supreme Court of Justice, have condemned the ELN's actions and reiterated that only state judges are authorized to try individuals.
- The Defensoría del Pueblo has also condemned the 'trials' and called for direct government attention to the families of the hostages.
- Peace talks between the government and the ELN are currently suspended.