Two Colombian soldiers were killed Thursday in an attack blamed on the ELN rebel group by the Ministry of Defense in northeastern Colombia, near the border with Venezuela.
The two soldiers were shot dead during an attack on an army post in Puerto Hordan, in the province of Arauca, where significant oil fields are located.
"Two soldiers have been dishonorably killed by those who often commit crimes in the area, (guerrillas belonging to the ELN)," Defense Minister Luis Carlos Vigegas told reporters.
The attack came as the government was holding peace talks with the ELN, the last rebel group operating in Colombia, which has about 1.500 fighters, according to authorities.
The two sides are negotiating a new, mutual ceasefire in the run-up to the presidential election, the first round of which is scheduled for May 27th.