![]() ![]() ![]() Petro’s right-wing predecessor, Ivan Duque, broke off negotiations with the ELN, a group that is believed to have about 4,000 fighters in Colombia and neighbouring Venezuela, in 2019 after a car bombing killed 22 police cadets. The talks were held after Gustavo Petro – Colombia’s first left-wing president, who took office in August – had promised to pursue a “total peace” plan for the country, including holding talks with armed groups. The South American nation has seen an uptick in violence in recent years, especially in areas where armed groups are battling for control over drug trafficking routes and other illicit activities. Representatives of the leftist rebel group and the government began peace talks in neighbouring Venezuela last month in an effort to end a decades-long conflict that has killed more than 450,000 people. The United Nations special representative to Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, welcomed the announcement, saying on Twitter that he trusts the ceasefire will help “alleviate suffering and improve the humanitarian situation”. The ceasefire only covers the “military forces and the state police” said the spokesperson, saying ELN fighters reserve the right to defend themselves if they are attacked. Colombia’s largest remaining rebel group has announced a unilateral ceasefire over the end-of-year holiday period, a week after the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Colombian government concluded a first round of peace negotiations.Īn ELN spokesperson said in a video shared on social media on Monday that the ceasefire would last from 6am (11:00 GMT) on Saturday, which is Christmas Eve, to the same time on January 2. ![]()
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