Gustavo Petro and ELN commanders hold unprecedented meeting in Bogotá

The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petroreceived this Thursday in Bogota to the chief negotiators of the guerrilla THE Nin an unprecedented meeting in the Colombian capital between the government and the rebel commanders, who since November have been trying to reach a peace agreement.

Coinciding with the start of a ceasefire, the leftist president shook hands with the leader of the delegation from National Liberation Army (ELN, Guevarista), Paul Beltranwho lives most of the time in Cubawhere the guerrilla leadership has been installed since 2018.

LOOK HERE: The Colombian government and the ELN sign the ceasefire and participation protocols

“Never ever in contemporary history the THE N had come to this position, to speak squarely in the heart of Colombia”, Petro said in a speech before hundreds of people, including indigenous people and peasants with batons, members of civil organizations, representatives of businessmen and the military, among others.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks during a meeting between the government, the guerrilla leadership of the National Liberation Army (ELN) and civil organizations in Bogotá on August 3, 2023. (Photo by Daniel Munoz / AFP) (DANIEL MUNOZ /)

According to Beltrán, it is the first time in 31 years that he has visited Bogota. The guerrilla chief lived a large part of his life in hiding in Colombia, before traveling to Havana as part of a peace process that began in the conservative government Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2018), but which was frustrated in 2019 by an attack that left twenty police officers dead in a training school.

After the incident, the then president, the right-wing ivan duke (2018-2022), buried the dialogues.

Petro resumed rapprochement in November 2022, shortly after coming to power, with the intention of achieving a definitive peace with the insurgent organization, born in 1964.

In August 2022, it suspended the arrest warrants against the negotiators residing on the Caribbean island and in June of this year it did the same with antonio garciathe top commander of the ELN, who has not appeared publicly.

MORE INFORMATION: ELN temporarily suspends “armed strike” in Colombia to deliver humanitarian aid

“This act watched by thousands of Colombian men and women (through television) begins to generate hope”, highlighted Petro, who had already visited the negotiating table in Cuba, one of the venues next to Mexico and Venezuela.

In a speech, Beltrán, 69, assured that the presence of the president is a sign of good will from the government: “We understand this as your commitment to the peace process, which we believe in good faith.”.

“Clear commitment”

The appointment occurs on the same date that a ceasefire between the State and the rebel organization began.

Since July 6, the public forces and the insurgents have suspended offensive military actions. Starting this Thursday, a six-month period without hostilities begins, in which other crimes such as kidnapping are expected to end.

This stage will be verified by the UN. farhan haqspokesman for the Secretary General of the United Nations, congratulated the negotiators for reaching that agreement.

“If the parties adhere to the ceasefire in good faith and with a clear commitment to alleviate the suffering of civilians, they will be able to significantly reduce violence.”, said Hag, quoted in a statement.

ALSO SEE: Colombian government calls kidnappings at the hands of the ELN “incomprehensible”

After a bumpy start to the year, the negotiations appear to be advancing smoothly.

Since the disarmament of the guerrilla Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC, Marxists), in 2017, the ELN became the longest standing armed leftist organization in America.

Petro also talks with FARC dissidents who did not lay down their weapons or took them back and with other paramilitary groups and gangs still active.

Source: Elcomercio