Colombian armed forces officials announced the resumption of military operations against the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group. The announcement follows the expiration of a six-month-long ceasefire which concluded on 3 August. Peace negotiations between the Colombian government and ELN leaders had been complicated in recent months due to the rebel group’s continuation of kidnappings for ransom — one of the group’s main revenue generators — despite their previous agreement to suspend such activities during the ceasefire period. The government also recently terminated a ceasefire deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) dissident group Estado Mayor Central