ELN ready for talks with Colombian government in Cuba: Delegation

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Apr 2023 08:06

The ELN and the Colombian government are set to discuss bilateral ceasefire, public involvement, and humanitarian measures.

A rebel of Colombia's National Liberation Army shows his armband while posing for a photograph, in the northwestern jungles, Colombia, August 31, 2017 (Reuters)

The third round of talks between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombia's second-largest rebel group after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), will begin in Cuba next week, the ELN delegation confirmed on Friday.

"The ELN delegation is ready to start the third round on May 2. Bilateral ceasefire, public involvement and humanitarian measures are on the agenda," the delegation tweeted.

The Colombian government under President Gustavo Petro and ELN rebels wrapped up three weeks of peace talks in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas in December, but no truce was signed. Following the talks in Mexico in March, the two sides agreed to hold more negotiations in Cuba.

Colombian media reported earlier this month that FARC was also planning to start peace talks with the country’s government in May.

In December 2022, FARC and the ELN announced a ceasefire as a contribution to the ongoing dialogue with the Colombian government, which seeks to achieve peace with armed groups in order to end over 50 years of armed conflict in the country.