Colombian Soldiers Alive: ELN Releases New Video, Renews Plea for Release

Cúcuta Kidnapping: New Video Shows Soldiers Alive, ELN Renews Plea for Release Two Colombian soldiers kidnapped in Cúcuta on April 9th by members of the ELN (National Liberation Army) have appeared in a new video, offering proof of their survival. The video, broadcast by Noticias Caracol, shows the soldiers, identified as Julián Reinel Sainz and Jimer Andrés Coral Gómez, appearing unharmed and urging for their release. "The soldiers, dressed in civilian clothes with beards, state in their message that they are well," reports Juan Carlos Mateus Ayala of Noticias Caracol. However, the ELN has once again appealed to the international community, military forces, and the Colombian government to help secure their release. This is the second video released by the ELN since the kidnapping. A similar video was released on April 25th. The ELN's actions highlight the ongoing security challenges in Cúcuta, a city bordering Venezuela, and the persistent threat posed by the ELN. The continued kidnappings underscore the need for increased cooperation between national and international entities to address the issue. The release of this video provides a glimmer of hope, but the situation remains tense.