Colombian President Gustavo Petro revealed this Thursday that the “confidential proposal” that his Government presented to the National Liberation Army (ELN) to unfreeze the peace talks is related to a “economic reform” and He accused the guerrillas of not being interested in the issue.
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“There is no problem with the ‘confidential proposal’ being made public: they were asked to make viable the proposal on economic reform that was agreed with the ELN, which was signed as the first point of agreement, with the country’s business community and the social movement of Colombia to discuss the mechanisms of its implementation,” the president expressed on social network X.
He added: “It seems that the subject is not of interest to you.”
Petro responded in this way to a statement from the guerrilla, which assured that the peace process “At this time, we do not need ‘confidential proposals’ but rather frankness and clarity for the country” and asked the Government to state whether or not it will comply with the agreement.
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“We cannot be offered something that has already been agreed upon, and even less so delay the fulfillment of the agreements,” the ELN said.
‘Confidential proposal’
Last Saturday the Government announced a ‘confidential proposal’ to advance the dialogues, which are going through a critical moment due to the demands of that guerrilla group that the Executive removes them from the list of terrorist groups and the termination of the bilateral ceasefire.
“It is a proposal to move forward, to promote dialogue and not simply get stuck in factual and procedural discussions,” said Senator Ivan Cepeda.
According to the Government’s chief negotiator, Vera Grabe, the proposal “It shows the importance that the Government attaches to this process.”
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“We value the response of social organizations, the expressions of the UN, the Church and the guarantor countries in support of this process”he added.
The bilateral ceasefire with the ELN expired on August 3 and has not been able to be extended. This week, the armed group asked the government to remove it from the list of organized armed groups (GAO) in order to resume the truce.
ELN
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Table bogged down
While the Government sends signals to advance in the peace talks through a negotiated solution, The ELN blames him for the possible failure of the talks and makes demands.
Last May, the guerrilla group set four conditions to remain on the table: the withdrawal of the ELN from the list of organized armed groups, the creation of a fund to finance itself in exchange for ceasing extortionate kidnappings, suspension of government approaches to the Comuneros del Sur front and the end of offensive operations by the State security forces.
EFE
