Gustavo Petro has taken a modest yet meaningful step toward Colombians with a policy of full peace in a country scarred by violence. His government aims to restart talks with the National Liberation Army, ELN, a Guevarist guerrilla group founded in the mid-1960s, still active and seeking a path to civilian life.
A doorway has opened, according to Antonio García, the ELN commander. Colombia’s new left government has shown a clear focus on persuading the ELN to lay down arms, a goal long associated with the approach that began under Juan Manuel Santos in 2016 with FARC demobilization. This effort aligns with a broad program launched on June 19, when Petro secured election victory. The peace process carries implications beyond Colombia, helping to mend regional ties, including toward Venezuela. The diplomatic rotation is visible as Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva met with President Nicolás Maduro at Miraflores Palace after the announcement of renewed negotiations in Caracas.
From Caracas, the peace talks between the Colombian government and the ELN officially resumed, with Venezuela, Cuba, and Norway acting as guarantor nations.
– Petro via social media on October 4, 2022, underscored the restart of dialogue and the role of guarantor countries in the path toward reconciliation.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirmed its commitment to the Colombia peace process, welcoming the restart of negotiations as a guarantor. This stance marks a shift in neighborhood relations after a period of tension, and the cooperation follows the reopening of the shared border. Miraflores Palace has signaled its interest in fostering the peace effort, tied to broader regional diplomacy including ties with Turkey and cooperative security measures that help ease cross-border movements in some areas.
expectations
Petro faces a challenging landscape where past attempts by both the Santos administration and subsequent leadership faltered. The Caracas meeting featured formal proceedings with a Colombian peace commissioner, ELN representatives, and government delegates alongside left-wing senator Iván Cepeda and bishops from the Colombian Episcopal Conference. The host country, along with Norway and Cuba, welcomed the resumption of talks from Havana, and a United Nations verification mission was identified to oversee the transition toward a potential agreement.
Local reporting suggests the new dialogue occurs at a moment when each actor operates under markedly different conditions from earlier efforts. Colombia has never before had a left-wing government, which signals a distinct negotiation climate and different leverage for both sides. The ELN did acknowledge the evolving political environment, noting that new conditions may open up opportunities for dialogue and agreements that advance peace policy.
Observers highlight that the restart comes amid a nuanced balance of internal and regional dynamics. The process emphasizes a switch toward political solutions that reduce violence while addressing concerns about security, justice, and the reintegration of former combatants. As discussions proceed, the international community watches to see how guarantees, verification, and humanitarian considerations will shape outcomes and long-term stability in the region. This moment is framed as a test of will and practicality for all parties involved, with the potential to set a constructive precedent for neighborly cooperation and sustainable peace across borders marked by decades of conflict. The unfolding story is being tracked by observers who note that the true measure will be the construction of trust, the implementation of confidence-building steps, and the tangible improvements in daily life for communities long affected by violence.
In summary, the restart of negotiations with the ELN represents a critical juncture in Colombia’s peace journey. It reflects a climate of more permissive political space, a readiness to pursue dialogue rather than force, and a shared belief among regional partners that sustainable peace contributes to regional stability and prosperity. The path ahead remains complex, but the commitment to engage in talks without preconditions signals a serious effort to transform decades of conflict into a future shaped by conversation, accountability, and collective security. The international community continues to offer support, monitoring, and guidance as the parties navigate the delicate steps toward a comprehensive peace agreement, with the broader aim of ending violence and rebuilding trust across the country and its neighbors. Attribution: this summary relies on public statements and regional reporting about the peace process in Colombia and neighboring countries.