The delegations of the Government of Colombia and the ELN are committed to the dialogue to share the construction of peace as a State policy, with commitments to overcome political violence and its causes. The Colombian High Commissioner for Peace, Iván Danilo Rueda, sent a message to the guerrilla dissidents, especially the FARC, and warned that “dialogue also has a limit” after the attacks in Putumayo
The delegations of the Government of Colombia and the guerrilla of the National Liberation Army (ELN) met this Tuesday, November 22 in Caracas for the second consecutive day and assured that they view the dialogue process with “positive expectations.”
“We have positive expectations (…) we are going to make every effort to advance the changes in Colombia and, therefore, peace,” said Víctor Cubides, alias “Aureliano Carbonell”, a member of the ELN delegation in statements to Venezuelan Television (VTV).
Cubides pointed out that during the morning they held bilateral meetings with the United Nations delegation, as well as with the guarantor countries (Venezuela, Cuba and Norway). On the agenda with the Government of Colombia, they expected to agree on three initial agenda items, which will be reported in the coming days.
*Read also: Dialogue of Colombia and ELN heads “to find harmony” to overcome violence
The meeting between both parties takes place at the Humboldt Hotel, located within the Cerro El Ávila National Park. On behalf of the Colombian Executive, the negotiating team is headed by Otty Patiño, a former guerrilla close to President Gustavo Petro, while Israel Ramírez, alias “Pablo Beltrán”, leads the ELN delegation.
In the communiqué signed yesterday, several initial points were agreed, such as the construction of peace based on a democracy with justice, prioritizing the marginalized sectors; thanks to the work of the guarantor countries, as well as the verification mission in Colombia; share the construction of peace as a State policy, with commitments to overcome political violence and its causes; and assume the values ”that are basic and imperative in the world”, such as respect for life in all its dimensions.
“Dialogue also has a limit”
The High Commissioner for Peace of ColombiaIván Danilo Rueda, sent a message to the guerrilla dissidents, especially the FARC, and warned that “dialogue also has a limit” and it is precisely that, if these armed groups persist with their criminal actions, it will be difficult to establish a table of conversations.
In a message on Twitter, the official condemned the clashes in the Putumayo department that left 18 dead. He described these violent actions as “a fratricidal war.”
He reiterated that until these guerrilla organizations express their will, the government of President Gustavo Petro will not negotiate with them.
We emphatically reject the violence and pain unleashed today by the armed groups that operate in the #putumayo. The willingness to dialogue has a limit: we make an urgent call to stop this fratricidal war. #PazTotal pic.twitter.com/nVyzJiLHpB
– High Commissioner for Peace (@ComisionadoPaz) November 22, 2022
Regarding the process with the ELN, he said that the points of participation will be discussed on Wednesday, November 23. She also clarified the role of Violeta Arango Ramírez, who was in preventive detention for her alleged participation in an attack in Bogotá in 2017, as part of the peace management team.
Rueda pointed out that she is still being investigated by the Colombian justice, which will be the one that defines her responsibility in the events of El Andino. “The peace agency does not mean impunity, and the peace agency, in addition to signifying a gesture of confidence in what is being built with the ELN, has a set of responsibilities monitored by the Colombian government,” she stated.
Pronouncement regarding Violeta Arango, appointed peace manager by the Office of the @PeaceCommissioner. pic.twitter.com/utQPTljD6n
– High Commissioner for Peace (@ComisionadoPaz) November 22, 2022
Post Views: 318
