Colombian government and ELN resume talks in Caracas seeking to end violence
The peace delegations of the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) resumed their talks in Caracas in an extraordinary meeting to find a solution to the recent disagreements on whether or not to cease hostilities.
This was confirmed to the EFE agency by the guerrillas, who reported on Wednesday (00.18.2023). According to them, the meeting had been announced by the ELN for Wednesday, but the government delegation already arrived in Caracas on Tuesday afternoon.
Moreover, the parties are expected to last until the weekend, when a joint declaration is expected. Until now, the agenda for this meeting remains private.
Both parties welcomed the news through Twitter, with the Colombian ambassador to Venezuela, Armando Benedetti, and the ELN, who commented they were “ready for the meeting.”
The dialogue began with the situation caused by the unilateral bilateral ceasefire declared by Colombian President Gustavo Petro on December 31 without consulting the ELN, leading to a crisis.
However, the government maintains there is no crisis and that this situation has to be overcome. Hopes that the meeting in Caracas lead to a “real and lasting peace” have been shared.
