Narrative
Narrative of the Organization's History
Narrative of the Organization's History
Leadership, Name Changes, Size Estimates, Resources, Geographic Locations
Ideology, Aims, Political Activities, Targets, and Tactics
First Attacks, Largest Attacks, Notable Attacks
Foreign Designations and Listings, Community Relations, Relations with Other Groups, State Sponsors and External Influences
Mapping relationships with other militant groups over time in regional maps
The EPL was a Marxist group, inspired by Maoist ideology that aimed to topple the Colombian government and establish a communist state.[32] It originally operated in rural Colombia in an effort to fight a “people’s war.” However, in 1976 the EPL began to include urban regions and the working class. Throughout its existence, the EPL was motivated by its main goal of protecting the proletariat.[33]
The EPL was founded as the armed wing of the Communist Party of Colombia (Marxist-Leninist), an offshoot of the Colombian Communist Party (PCC).
Many members of the EPL accepted a truce offered by the Betancur government in 1984. Others demobilized in 1991 and entered the political arena as the Partido Esperanza, Paz y Libertad (Hope, Peace and Liberty Party) in the Uraba region of the northern province of Antioquia.[34] However, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), another guerrilla group, opposed this political move, and many EPL members were not convinced that involving the group in politics would be as effective as guerrilla warfare. The party was severely weakened by decreasing membership in addition to targeted assassinations of members by the FARC and the dissident EPL faction led by Megateo.[35]
The EPL traditionally engaged in kidnapping, extortion, cattle stealing, money laundering, planting land mines and directly attacking communities.[36] Before 1991, the EPL targeted Colombian government assets and staged attacks on the military, police and government personnel.[37]
The current EPL is only a fraction as strong as the EPL of the 1980s. It has devolved into little more than an organized crime network that carries out intimidation tactics, kidnappings, and murders of high-profile landowners, foreign visitors and workers.[38]
Disclaimer: These are some selected major attacks in the militant organization's history. It is not a comprehensive listing, but captures some of the most famous attacks or turning points during the campaign.
December 17, 1967: The EPL led peasant uprisings in Alto Sinu, the San Jorge region and Cauca. (unknown killed, unknown wounded)[39]
October 4, 1999: Fifteen EPL members kidnapped 12 civilians from the town of Ocana at a roadblock. In a rescue mission, the Colombian military rescued all 12 hostages, killed one EPL member, and injured two of the hostages. (1 killed, 2 wounded).[40]
April 2000: At a roadblock south of Bogotá, the EPL kidnapped between 10 and 14 persons. (unknown killed, unknown wounded)[41]
Unknown 2006: In 2006, the EPL received assistance from the FARC and killed 10 DAS detectives in addition to seven soldiers. (17 killed, unkown wounded)[42]
February 2012: EPL militants shot at a surveillance helicopter in Norte de Santander. (0 killed, 2 wounded).[43]
May 2014: The EPL kidnapped and shot a police officer in Norte de Santander. (1 killed, 0 wounded).[44]
October 13, 2014: Colombian officials suspected the EPL was responsible for an attack on the town of Playa de Belen in Norte de Santander that left two police officers dead. (2 killed, 1 wounded).[45]
The EPL has never been listed as a terrorist organization by the United States government or other governments.[46]
In 1987, the EPL joined the Simon Bolivar Guerrilla Coordinating Board (CGSB), a guerrilla alliance formed by the National Liberation (ELN) following its failed 1984 peace negotiations with the government. Other members of the CGSB included the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and the April 19 Movement (M-19).[47] Together, these guerrilla groups operated throughout Colombia and attacked Colombia's major oil facilities. In 1991, the EPL left the CGSB when the group officially demobilized.[48]
When the EPL officially disbanded in 1991, many members continued to fight under the EPL name despite their agreement with the government. These EPL members allied with FARC guerrillas and attacked demobilized EPL members for betraying the revolutionary cause. Attacks on demobilized EPL members continued into the 2000s.[49] In 1999, when the EPL’s remaining leaders were either captured or killed, many EPL guerrillas joined the FARC and the ELN.[50]
In 2002, the EPL and the ELN committed a joint attack on the town of Hacari.[51] In 2014, the EPL sought to enter the latest round of peace talks among the FARC and ELN and the Colombian government. In July 2014 the EPL proposed to the FARC and the ELN a National Constituent Assembly to persuade the Colombian government to allow the EPL to join the peace talks.[52]
[1] The Terror of Francisco Caraballo.” EL TIEMPO. N.p. 23 June 1994. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-156964
[2] The Terror of Francisco Caraballo.” EL TIEMPO. N.p. 23 June 1994. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-156964
[3] Moore, Harriet. “OSINT Summary: Suspected EPL attack highlights risk of renewed operations in Colombia.” HIS Jane’s 360. N.p. 13 October 2014. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.janes.com/article/44439/osint-summary-suspected-epl-attack-hi...
[4] Holmes, Jennifer S, Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres, and Kevin M Curtin. Guns, Drugs, and Development In Colombia. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008.
[5] “Ejercito Popular de Liberación.” Colombia un país feliz para el mundo exterior. N.p. N.d. Web. 26 August 2015. http://jusseffmoralese.wix.com/guerrillasencolombia#!epl/c1hks
[6] “Colombia: EPL quiere adherirse a diálogo de paz.” BBC Mundo. BBC News. 25 July 2014. Web. 26 August 2014. http://www.bbc.com/mundo/ultimas_noticias/2014/07/140725_ultnot_colombia... “Ejercito Popular de Liberación.” Colombia un país feliz para el mundo exterior. N.p. N.d. Web. 26 August 2015. http://jusseffmoralese.wix.com/guerrillasencolombia#!epl/c1hks
[7] Escobar, Daniel Medendorp. “Colombia guerrilla group EPL wants to join peace dialogues.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 28 July 2014. Web. 26 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/colombia-guerrillla-group-epl-wants-join-peac... Colombia: The Status and Activities of the Popular Liberation Army (Ejército Popular de Liberación, EPL); whether the EPL uses kidnapping and violence to further their cause; whether authorities are successful in combatting EPL initiatives (2002-2003).” Refworld. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 14 February 2003. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d791c.html
[8] Escobar, Daniel Medendorp. “Colombia guerrilla group EPL wants to join peace dialogues.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 28 July 2014. Web. 26 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/colombia-guerrillla-group-epl-wants-join-peac...
[9] Bouvier, Virginia Marie. Colombia : Building Peace In a Time of War. Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press, 2009.
[10] Holmes, Jennifer S, Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres, and Kevin M Curtin. Guns, Drugs, and Development In Colombia. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008.
[11] Colombia: The Status and Activities of the Popular Liberation Army (Ejército Popular de Liberación, EPL); whether the EPL uses kidnapping and violence to further their cause; whether authorities are successful in combatting EPL initiatives (2002-2003).” Refworld. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 14 February 2003. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d791c.html; Holmes, Jennifer S, Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres, and Kevin M Curtin. Guns, Drugs, and Development In Colombia. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008.
[12] Bouvier, Virginia Marie. Colombia : Building Peace In a Time of War. Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press, 2009.
[13] “Colombia: EPL quiere adherirse a diálogo de paz.” BBC Mundo. BBC News. 25 July 2014. Web. 26 August 2014. http://www.bbc.com/mundo/ultimas_noticias/2014/07/140725_ultnot_colombia...
[14] “Los Entierros De La Paz.” Semana. 23 December 1985. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.semana.com/nacion/articulo/los-entierros-de-la-paz/7236-3
[15] The Terror of Francisco Caraballo.” EL TIEMPO. N.p. 23 June 1994. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-156964; “The Lessons of the EPL.” Mike’s Bogota Blog. N.p. 5 April 2015. Web. 26 August 2015. http://mikesbogotablog.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-lessons-of-epl.html
[16] Henderson, James D. Colombia's Narcotics Nightmare : How the Drug Trade Destroyed Peace. 2015. Print
[17] Giraldo, Camilo Mejia. “Colombian authorities uncover drug lord’s vast network of government officials.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 17 March 2014. Web. 26 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/colombian-authorities-uncover-drug-lords-vast-network-government-officials/
[18] “Confirman muerte de Víctor Ramón Navarro alias ‘Megateo.’” JOANPA. N.p. 16 August 2015. Web. 26 August 2015. http://joanpa.com/news/2015/08/confirman-muerte-de-victor-ramon-navarro-...
[19] "Ejercito Popular De Liberacion (EPL) (Colombia), GROUPS - AMERICAS - DORMANT." Jane's World Insurgency and Terrorism. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2012. http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-World-Insurgency-and-Terrorism/Ejercito-Popular-de-Liberacion-EPL
[20] Henderson, James D. Colombia's Narcotics Nightmare : How the Drug Trade Destroyed Peace. 2015. Print
[21] "El Ejército Popular De Liberación Colombiano a Las Armas." El Pais. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Aug. 2012. http://elpais.com/diario/1990/08/04/internacional/649720819_850215.html
[22] "Ejercito Popular De Liberacion (EPL) (Colombia), GROUPS - AMERICAS - DORMANT." Jane's World Insurgency and Terrorism. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2012. http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-World-Insurgency-and-Terrorism/Ejercito-Popular-de-Liberacion-EPL
[23] Morris, Ruth. "Soldiers Free 12 Hostages Held by Colombian Rebels." LA Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Aug. 2012. http://articles.latimes.com/1999/oct/05/news/mn-18949
[24] Ciment, James. World Terrorism : an Encyclopedia of Political Violence From Ancient Times to the Post-9/11 Era. 2nd ed. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 2011.
[25] "Colombia: Information on the Former Guerrilla Group M-19." UNHCR. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 July 2012. http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,USCIS,,COL,,414eee264,0.html
[26] Colombia: The Status and Activities of the Popular Liberation Army (Ejército Popular de Liberación, EPL); whether the EPL uses kidnapping and violence to further their cause; whether authorities are successful in combatting EPL initiatives (2002-2003).” Refworld. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 14 February 2003. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d791c.html
[27] "Ejercito Popular De Liberacion (EPL) (Colombia), GROUPS - AMERICAS - DORMANT." Jane's World Insurgency and Terrorism. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2012. http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-World-Insurgency-and-Terrorism/Ejercito-Popular-de-Liberacion-EPL
[28] Alsema, Adriaan. “EPL boss ‘Megateo’ hopes joining Colombia’s peace talks.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 22 July 2013. Web. 26 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/epl-boss-megateo-hopes-joining-colombias-peac...
[29] Henderson, James D. Colombia's Narcotics Nightmare : How the Drug Trade Destroyed Peace. 2015. Print; “Colombia: EPL quiere adherirse a diálogo de paz.” BBC Mundo. BBC News. 25 July 2014. Web. 26 August 2014. http://www.bbc.com/mundo/ultimas_noticias/2014/07/140725_ultnot_colombia... Escobar, Daniel Medendorp. “Colombia guerrilla group EPL wants to join peace dialogues.” COLOMBIA REPORTS. N.p. 28 July 2014. Web. 26 August 2015. http://colombiareports.com/colombia-guerrillla-group-epl-wants-join-peac...
[30] Ejercito Popular de Liberación.” Colombia un país feliz para el mundo exterior. N.p. N.d. Web. 26 August 2015. http://jusseffmoralese.wix.com/guerrillasencolombia#!epl/c1hks; Colombia: The Status and Activities of the Popular Liberation Army (Ejército Popular de Liberación, EPL); whether the EPL uses kidnapping and violence to further their cause; whether authorities are successful in combatting EPL initiatives (2002-2003).” Refworld. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 14 February 2003. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d791c.html
[31] Holmes, Jennifer S, Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres, and Kevin M Curtin. Guns, Drugs, and Development In Colombia. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008.
[32] “Popular Liberation Army.” Terrorist Organization Profiles. START. N.d. Web. 25 August 2015. http://www.start.umd.edu/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=86
[33] Holmes, Jennifer S, Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres, and Kevin M Curtin. Guns, Drugs, and Development In Colombia. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008; “Colombia: EPL quiere adherirse a diálogo de paz.” BBC Mundo. BBC News. 25 July 2014. Web. 26 August 2014. http://www.bbc.com/mundo/ultimas_noticias/2014/07/140725_ultnot_colombia...
[34] The Terror of Francisco Caraballo.” EL TIEMPO. N.p. 23 June 1994. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-156964
[35] Bouvier, Virginia Marie. Colombia : Building Peace In a Time of War. Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press, 2009.
[36] “Ejercito Popular de Liberación.” Colombia un país feliz para el mundo exterior. N.p. N.d. Web. 26 August 2015. http://jusseffmoralese.wix.com/guerrillasencolombia#!epl/c1hks; Colombia: The Status and Activities of the Popular Liberation Army (Ejército Popular de Liberación, EPL); whether the EPL uses kidnapping and violence to further their cause; whether authorities are successful in combatting EPL initiatives (2002-2003).” Refworld. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 14 February 2003. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d791c.html
[37] “Popular Liberation Army.” Terrorist Organization Profiles. START. N.d. Web. 25 August 2015. http://www.start.umd.edu/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=86
[38] "Ejercito Popular De Liberacion (EPL) (Colombia), GROUPS - AMERICAS - DORMANT." Jane's World Insurgency and Terrorism. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2012. http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-World-Insurgency-and-Terrorism/....
[39] The Terror of Francisco Caraballo.” EL TIEMPO. N.p. 23 June 1994. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-156964
[40] Morris, Ruth. “Soldiers Free 12 Hostages Held by Colombian Rebels.” LA Times. N.p. 5 October 1999. Web. 26 August 2015. http://articles.latimes.com/1999/oct/05/news/mn-18949
[41] “Rebels free Colombian soccer star.” BBC World. BBC News. 24 April 2000. Web. 26 August 2015. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/724145.stm
[42] McDermott, Jeremy. “Death of a Colombian Narco-Guerrilla.” InSight Crime. N.p. 17 August 2015. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.insightcrime.org/news-analysis/death-of-a-colombian-narco-gue...
[43] Moore, Harriet. “OSINT Summary: Suspected EPL attack highlights risk of renewed operations in Colombia.” HIS Jane’s 360. N.p. 13 October 2014. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.janes.com/article/44439/osint-summary-suspected-epl-attack-hi...
[44] Moore, Harriet. “OSINT Summary: Suspected EPL attack highlights risk of renewed operations in Colombia.” HIS Jane’s 360. N.p. 13 October 2014. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.janes.com/article/44439/osint-summary-suspected-epl-attack-hi...
[45] Moore, Harriet. “OSINT Summary: Suspected EPL attack highlights risk of renewed operations in Colombia.” HIS Jane’s 360. N.p. 13 October 2014. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.janes.com/article/44439/osint-summary-suspected-epl-attack-hi...
[46] “Popular Liberation Army.” Terrorist Organization Profiles. START. N.d. Web. 25 August 2015. http://www.start.umd.edu/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=86
[47] “National Liberation Army (Colombia).” Terrorist Organization Profile. National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism – University of Maryland. N.d. Web. 23 July 2015. http://www.start.umd.edu/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=218
[48] “Colombian Insurgency.” Global Security. N.p. N.d. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/colombia-1.htm
[49] Bouvier, Virginia Marie. Colombia : Building Peace In a Time of War. Washington, D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press, 2009.
[50] Holmes, Jennifer S, Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres, and Kevin M Curtin. Guns, Drugs, and Development In Colombia. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008.
[51] Colombia: The Status and Activities of the Popular Liberation Army (Ejército Popular de Liberación, EPL); whether the EPL uses kidnapping and violence to further their cause; whether authorities are successful in combatting EPL initiatives (2002-2003).” Refworld. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. 14 February 2003. Web. 26 August 2015. http://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d791c.html
[52] “Colombia: EPL quiere adherirse a diálogo de paz.” BBC Mundo. BBC News. 25 July 2014. Web. 26 August 2014. http://www.bbc.com/mundo/ultimas_noticias/2014/07/140725_ultnot_colombia...