The Colombian military rescued 39 kidnapping victims on Tuesday after a rescue operation targeting the ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional, a Marxist guerrilla group active since 1964 with an estimated 6,800 fighters), which had seized the civilians — including one minor — from a bus travelling through the remote Chocó region in the country's northwest. General Hugo Lopez confirmed all hostages were freed, but announced that two soldiers, identified as Elibert Ducuara Mosquera and Jean Carlos Vallejo Vargas, died during the operation. The rescue comes amid rising insecurity in Colombia: peace talks between the ELN and outgoing President Gustavo Petro collapsed in early 2025, and president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has promised a hardline military approach against armed groups.