Colombia’s main guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), has announced a unilateral ceasefire for the Christmas holidays, although it leaves up in the air possible actions in case the guerrillas feel «attacked».
The measure, similar to that adopted on other occasions, will be in force from 6:00 a.m. next Saturday, December 24, until the morning of January 2, with a view to building «an atmosphere of peace». Peace, he added in a statement, «requires more than words», according to Caracol Radio.
Later, the Minister of the Interior, Alfonso Prada, celebrated the decision in a press conference on Monday, together with the High Commissioner for Peace, Danilo Rueda. «ELN has listened to the community that supports total peace and that demands a de-escalation in the different territories of the Republic,» he said.
Prada took the opportunity to send a message to «all violent groups». «Hopefully they pick up this clamor of the citizenship and we expect pronouncements this week in relation to the possibility of de-escalating the conflict, of making unilateral ceasefires,» he said.
The government of Gustavo Petro has initiated a dialogue with the ELN in order to seek what has been called «total peace», after the previous administration, led by Iván Duque, had renounced to this type of contacts due to the alleged lack of commitments from the guerrilla.
The ELN, however, has also pointed out on this occasion that its ceasefire is not unconditional and has asked the Armed Forces to cease attacks also during the coming weeks, «in tune with the policies of the new government». «We reserve the right to defend ourselves in case we are attacked,» he warned.
The parties have already held a first round of negotiations in Venezuela, to be followed by a second in Mexico on a date yet to be finalized. Both countries are, together with Norway, guarantors of this peace process.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
