Peace Talks Between ELN Guerrillas and the Colombian Government Resume, Guarantors Named
The National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas and the Government of Colombia have agreed to continue peace talks in November, with two guarantor nations, along with Cuba and Norway, set to supervise the process as part of a signed agreement reached in Venezuela on Tuesday.
The documented understanding outlines that a new phase of negotiations will commence next month. The exact start date and settlement venue were not disclosed, and officials described the forthcoming sessions as a revolving process whose initial location remains undecided.
Colombian High Commissioner for Peace Iván Danilo Rueda, who attended the August signing of the accord in Caracas, indicated that essential steps will be taken to restart dialogue with the ELN. Among the nations under consideration for hosting rotating negotiation sessions is Cuba.
During remarks on Tuesday, Rueda stressed the importance of transparency in the talks to ensure the agreement is implemented in a manner that builds trust between the parties. He noted that the dialogue should reflect concrete changes, and that the ELN delegation provided elements that fostered deeper trust.
Rueda also highlighted that the ELN’s actions had shown signs of de-escalation in various Colombian regions where the group operates, and he welcomed the guerrilla organization’s decision to move away from armed confrontation. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting life as a central principle in the ongoing process.
Senator Ivan Cepeda, representing the government side, and Monsignor Héctor Fabio Henao were present alongside Rueda. Elicer Chamorro, speaking on behalf of the ELN, cautioned that the resumption of negotiations would adhere to the framework already agreed, emphasizing that Chamorro is nicknamed “Antonio García” because his delegation is understood to be a principal contracting party to the talks and thus integral to the process. The conclusion underlined that parties would not contest discussions outside the established framework, and any concerns would be addressed within the ELN and national government delegations.
Chamorro stated that the ELN would not engage in any disputes at the negotiation table with the government; rather, all measures and decisions would be discussed among the ELN delegation and the national government team. He reinforced the commitment to uphold the previously agreed terms while recognizing new developments that might emerge during discussions.
The joint statement issued at the outset of the negotiations confirmed the agreement to restore the formal negotiating table with all delegations, and to withdraw any prior arrangements in effect since the agenda was signed on March 30, 2016. The document also outlined the intention to resume formal dialogue after the first week of November 2022, signaling a renewed tempo for discussions and potential milestones ahead.