⚠️ Key Information
- Dates: December 14-17, 2025
- Status: Now concluded
- Affected areas: Primarily rural regions, not major cities
- Medellín impact: Minimal in urban/tourist areas
The National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombia's largest remaining guerrilla group, announced an "armed strike" across Colombia from December 14-17, 2025. Multiple foreign governments—including Australia, the U.S., and Canada—issued warnings to their citizens traveling in Colombia during this period.
For travelers already in Medellín or planning to visit, here's what you need to understand about these announcements and how they affect your travel.
What Is an "Armed Strike"?
An ELN armed strike (paro armado) is a declaration by the guerrilla group calling for a halt to economic and social activities in areas under their influence. Historically, these strikes involve:
• Roadblocks on rural highways
• Threats against businesses that remain open
• Attacks on infrastructure (power lines, oil pipelines)
• Targeted actions against military and police
The practical effect is primarily felt in rural areas where the ELN maintains a presence—not in major cities like Medellín, Bogotá, or Cartagena.
How Did This Affect Medellín?
✅ Medellín Urban Areas: Minimal Impact
The armed strike had virtually no impact on daily life in Medellín's tourist and residential neighborhoods. El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado, the Centro, and other areas that visitors frequent continued to operate normally.
The Metro system, restaurants, malls, and tourist attractions remained open throughout the period.
The ELN does not have a significant operational presence in Medellín's urban core. Their activities are concentrated in rural departments like Arauca, Norte de Santander, Chocó, and parts of Antioquia outside the Aburrá Valley.
What the Government Advisories Actually Said
It's important to read government travel advisories carefully. The Australian government's warning, for example, specifically noted:
"Reconsider your need to travel to Antioquia (except Medellín and its Valle de Aburrá metropolitan region...)"
In other words: even the official advisories recognized that Medellín itself was not the concern—it was rural areas outside the metropolitan region.
ℹ️ Understanding Government Travel Advisories
Government travel advisories cover entire countries and must account for worst-case scenarios. Colombia's overall Level 3 ("Reconsider Travel") rating from the U.S. reflects genuine dangers in certain regions—but those regions are not where tourists typically go.
The on-the-ground reality in Medellín's tourist zones is often much safer than national advisories suggest.
Should You Cancel Your Trip?
If you're visiting Medellín and staying in typical tourist areas (El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado, Sabaneta), armed strikes by guerrilla groups should not significantly affect your plans. These groups do not operate in urban Medellín.
However, you should reconsider or postpone:
⚠️ Higher Risk During Armed Strikes
• Overland travel through rural Antioquia — especially routes toward Turbo, Apartadó, or the Darién region
• Travel to conflict-affected departments — Arauca, Catatumbo, Chocó (outside Quibdó), Norte de Santander
• Long-distance bus travel — stick to flights during active strike periods
Practical Advice for Future Strikes
Armed strikes are announced periodically, often around holidays or during breakdowns in peace negotiations. Here's how to stay informed and safe:
1. Monitor local news: Follow Colombian news sources like El Tiempo, El Colombiano, or English-language Colombia Reports.
2. Check embassy updates: Register with your country's embassy (U.S. citizens: STEP program) to receive alerts.
3. Fly instead of drive: During active strike periods, domestic flights are safer than long-distance buses for intercity travel.
4. Stay in urban areas: If a strike is announced during your visit, postpone any planned trips to rural areas until it concludes.
5. Follow local guidance: Colombians know how to navigate these situations. If locals in your area are going about their normal business, you likely can too.
The Bigger Picture
Colombia's peace process is ongoing and imperfect. The 2016 peace deal with FARC was a historic achievement, but the ELN (a separate group) never signed on. Negotiations have started and stalled multiple times.
For visitors, the practical reality is that armed conflict in Colombia today is largely contained to specific rural regions. Medellín, despite being in Antioquia department, is insulated from this conflict by geography, infrastructure, and security presence.
Should you be aware of the broader security situation? Yes. Should it prevent you from visiting Medellín? For the vast majority of travelers, no.
Last updated: December 18, 2025. Information sourced from Australian Smartraveller, Canadian Government Travel Advisories, and local Colombian news sources.