The former president of Colombia Iván Duque said Tuesday that he does not regret «at all» the attitude of his government towards the armed group National Liberation Army (ELN).
Duque has maintained, on the occasion of the presentation of a book about his administration in the Latin American country, that one of the most difficult moments of his mandate was the terrorist attack that the ELN carried out in January 2019 to the General de Santander Police School, in which 22 young people died.
In this sense, the former president has indicated that he does not regret «at all the attitude» they had with that group, in the framework of the suspension of the peace negotiations that had begun during the administration of Juan Manuel Santos, since then the guerrillas had no will for peace, he has insisted.
In spite of these statements, Duque has declared that his «voice will never be an obstacle for the construction of peace in Colombia», even though he has positioned himself against «turning peace into an electoral process», as reported by RCN radio station.
«Acts of terrorism cannot be tolerated while talking about peace, the State cannot accept bilateral ceasefires, because the State does not equate with terrorism», he criticized, in reference to the dialogue table set up in the Venezuelan capital between the Government of Gustavo Petro and the guerrilla.
THE VICTIMS MUST BE PRESENT Duque, in addition, has pronounced himself on the designations of the representatives of the negotiating team on the side of the Executive. «Presidents are free to choose their team and I hope it goes well for the good of the country», he added.
However, he criticized the fact that the ELN victims are not at the negotiating table. «It seems important to me that society be present at the negotiating table», since «the victims of the ELN must be present», he remarked.
Thus, he explained that these statements are constructive criticisms. «I don’t know how to do politics without building, never in personal attacks, always trying to contribute with options», he concluded.
