MIAMI, United States — The Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) agreed to a bilateral, national and temporary ceasefire during the third cycle of the Roundtable for Peace Dialogues, which concluded today in Havana with the signing of various agreements between the parties.
According to the newspaper GranmaCommander Pablo Beltrán signed for the ELN, while José Otty Patiño did it on behalf of the Colombian government.
The signing of the pact was attended by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, for the ruling party. Also present were Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, as well as representatives of the guarantor countries and permanent accompaniers of the talks process.
“It is an honor for our country that the parties have reached agreements of great importance in Havana to advance peace in Colombia. Once again, the capital of all Cubans is witness to transcendent agreements that will bring humanitarian relief to Colombian populations,” Díaz-Canel said in statements collected by Granma.
For his part, Petro thanked the Cuban regime for “its hospitality for the peace of Colombia, which is not only of this moment, of this process, but has been accompanying an effort so that in Colombia we do not kill each other.”
As agreed, the process of enlisting the bilateral, national and temporary ceasefire will comprise three moments in its initial phase, while the orders to cease offensive operations by the parties will become effective on July 6 of this year.
A fourth cycle of the Roundtable for Peace Dialogues will meet between August 14 and September 4 of this year in Venezuela. There, a balance of compliance with the agreements signed between the parties will be made.
