The ELN confirms that the ceasefire is the next point in the negotiation with the Government of Colombia

MADRID, 5 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The National Liberation Army (ELN) has confirmed that the bilateral ceasefire will be the next point of the negotiations scheduled for January 23 in Mexico, after said measure announced by the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, days ago did not would have the consent of the guerrillas.

The ELN has stressed that, as it expressed at the end of the first round of talks, they understand the decree issued by Petro "as a proposal to be examined in the next cycle" and that, until then, they cannot make a decision until they speak with the national leadership in this regard.

In turn, the guerrillas have also taken the opportunity to publish the balance on the follow-up that the Conflict Analysis Resource Center (CERAC) has made of the Christmas truce that it agreed with the Government, in which it is highlighted that no violent actions that can be attributed to them.

Similarly, it highlights that between December 24 and January 2, the ELN released two people who had been kidnapped last month in Arauca and Norte de Santander and that there were no operations by the public force against the guerrillas.

Despite the latest setback, the representatives of Casa Nariño at the dialogue table are confident that the talks will go well. Senator María José Pizarro has emphasized that the goal of achieving peace is "incalculable" and that it will be achieved "regardless of the obstacles."

"I am confident that the next round of negotiations will allow us to address and finalize the cessation of hostilities. That is what total peace is all about," he said on Twitter, stressing that already establishing a negotiating table "is an important step forward."

For fellow senator Iván Cepeda, the latest message from the ELN confirming that the bilateral ceasefire will be the first point to be negotiated in the next round of talks is "significant" that "no possibility is closed."

This week the ELN denied that it had reached a bilateral ceasefire with the Colombian government as President Petro announced on December 31. The guerrillas clarified that said possibility should be analyzed by their structures and that it would be a matter of debate at the next meeting scheduled in Mexico.

Following the announcement, the Government responded by annulling the decree defining said measure and therefore the State security forces continue to be fully empowered to attack.