President Gustavo Petro declared that the guerrilla does not show a desire for peace.
News Colombia.
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, announced the suspension of peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) after a series of violent acts perpetrated in the Catatumbo region.
The president described the guerrilla group’s actions as war crimes and questioned its commitment to the peace process.
«What the ELN has committed in Catatumbo are war crimes. The dialogue process with this group is suspended; “The ELN has no desire for peace,” declared Petro.
What the ELN has committed in Catatumbo are war crimes.
The dialogue process with this group is suspended, the ELN has no desire for peace.
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) January 17, 2025
Escalation of violence in Catatumbo
During the month of January 2025, the Catatumbo region has been the scene of multiple violent events attributed to the ELN and clashes between illegal armed groups.
On January 15, in Tibú, Norte de Santander, a couple and their nine-month-old baby were murdered by individuals traveling on motorcycles.
I call on the ELN to respect the life of José del Carmen Abril, peasant leader of Catatumbo. I have known him for years, I know of his struggles and his life dedicated to the cause of the peasant movement in that territory. pic.twitter.com/QgnU93rC87
— Iván Cepeda Castro (@IvanCepedaCast) January 16, 2025
The victims, Miguel Ángel López and Zulay Durán, owners of a funeral home, along with their youngest son, were attacked while they were traveling in their vehicle.
Read: A family, including a six-month-old baby, massacred in Tibú, Norte de Santander
A 10-year-old son survived the attack. On January 16, clashes between the ELN and FARC dissidents were reported in the municipalities of Teorama, Convencion, Tibú and La Gabarra, also in Norte de Santander.
These fighting left at least four people dead, including civilians and signatories of the Peace Agreement.
🚨The ELN threatens more bloodshed in Catatumbo, now declaring companies and merchants “military objectives.” Meanwhile, Caligula Zipaquireño continues focused on empty speeches and useless pacts.
You don’t negotiate with terrorists, you exterminate them! pic.twitter.com/w2K0baVid0— Adriana Martinez (@AdrianaVeterin) January 17, 2025
The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) confirmed the murder of Jhan Carlos Carvajalino Quintero, appearing before that jurisdiction, and of the signatories Yurgen Martínez Delgado, Albeiro Díaz Franco and Pedro Rodríguez Mejía.
The Ombudsman’s Office warned about the serious violation of human rights in the area and warned of possible massive displacements of entire communities, which would worsen the humanitarian crisis in the region.
History of tensions in the peace process
This is not the first time that the peace process with the ELN faces difficulties. In September 2024, President Petro suspended negotiations after an attack in Arauca that resulted in the death of two soldiers and more than 25 injuries.
On that occasion, the president noted that the attack “practically closes the peace process with blood.”
#NewsW | In a caravan and with white flags, teachers in the Catatumbo region evacuate the different municipalities, after clashes between the ELN and the FARC dissidents. pic.twitter.com/HtgruOX0n9
— W Radio Colombia (@WRadioColombia) January 17, 2025
The continuity of the dialogue with the ELN and progress towards peace in Colombia remain uncertain, depending on significant changes in the attitude and actions of the guerrilla group.
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