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Colombian army 'kills ELN military commander' Marquitos: Colombian ELN commander 'killed by army'
(about 5 hours later)
The Colombian army says it has killed a top commander from the country's second largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).The Colombian army says it has killed a top commander from the country's second largest guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN).
The commander, Jose Amin Hernandez Manrique, known as Marquitos, was killed in the north-western province of Antioquia, the army said. Jose Amin Hernandez Manrique, known as Marquitos, was killed in the north-western province of Antioquia, the army said.
He commanded 13 ELN units in Antioquia and Bolivar provinces, according to the military. He led 13 ELN units in Antioquia and Bolivar provinces, according to the military.
The region is known for drugs and arms trafficking and illegal mining.The region is known for drugs and arms trafficking and illegal mining.
The Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos, said on Twitter: "Alias Marquitos, commander of the Dario Martinez front and member of the national leadership of the ELN, has been killed. Congratulations to the armed forces." Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, said on Twitter: "Alias Marquitos, commander of the Dario Martinez front and member of the national leadership of the ELN, has been killed. Congratulations to the armed forces."
The ELN was founded in 1964 to fight Colombia's unequal distribution of land and riches. It is estimated to have about 2,000 active fighters. Talks 'stalled'
The authorities believe Marquitos, also known as Marcos, was responsible for the 1999 hijacking of an aircraft with 46 passengers on board.
The ELN was founded in 1964 to fight Colombia's unequal distribution of land and wealth. It is now estimated to have about 2,000 active fighters.
The ELN has had exploratory talks but has not entered into peace negotiations with the government, unlike the country's largest left-wing rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).The ELN has had exploratory talks but has not entered into peace negotiations with the government, unlike the country's largest left-wing rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).
The Farc and the government have been in peace talks in Havana for more than two years. In April, the ELN's commander in chief, Nicolas Rodríguez Bautista, told Reuters news agency that the agreement to start formal peace talks was 80% completed.
It is unclear whether Marquitos's death will affect preliminary talks, although many Colombians feel they have stalled, says the the BBC's Colombia correspondent Natalio Cosoy.
The Farc has called several times for the ELN to join their peace talks in the Cuban capital Havana.