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NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY (ELN)

The ELN aims to overthrow Colombia's democratic government and to replace it with a Marxist-Leninist regime. In the tradition of leftist ideologies (in general) and the Cuban revolution (in particular), it claims to represent the rural poor against Colombia's wealthy classes and large landowners. The ELN opposes the privatization of Colombia's natural resources, the "exploitation" of the country by multinational corporations, and the violence directed at peasants by paramilitary groups. It is against America's influence ("domination") in the region and especially against Plan Colombia.