Representatives of the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas ended the first round of talks to reach a peace agreement on Monday in Caracas, Venezuela, and have been summoned to a second session in Mexico.
The parties have issued a joint communiqué in which they confirmed that the next round of talks will be held in Mexico, although they have not detailed the date on which they will take place.
On the other hand, questioned on whether the ELN will implement a possible «Christmas truce», the second commander of the guerrilla, ‘Pablo Beltrán’, has stated that although this possibility is contemplated, it is currently complicated to take place.
Pablo Beltrán’ has pointed out that in previous occasions when this truce has been signed, the Colombian security forces have taken advantage of it to increase their military advantage, which is why he has asked that this possible truce be bilateral.
Regarding a bilateral ceasefire, the main representative of the ELN has recognized that although both parties have a «similar idea», this issue has not been addressed in this round of talks and he hopes that it will be dealt with in the following negotiations.
Beyond the failure to reach a ceasefire, the government and the ELN have confirmed the release of some twenty people – civilians and agents of the security forces – in guerrilla custody.
Thus, the Colombian Executive and the National Liberation Army have culminated the first cycle of peace negotiations, initiated last November 22 in the Venezuelan capital and with which they have returned to the path of dialogue, abandoned in 2019.
Even before his arrival to the Presidency of Colombia, Gustavo Petro was predisposed to reach a peace agreement with the guerrillas in the framework of his proposal for «total peace» with all armed actors in the country.
