“`html
The 2023 colombian Peace Talks with the ELN: A Complete Overview
Table of Contents
Negotiations between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) have unfolded throughout 2023, aiming to achieve a lasting peace agreement. This article details the history, key developments, current status, and potential future of thes talks.
ancient Context: Decades of Conflict
The ELN, founded in 1964, is Colombia’s last remaining major rebel group. Inspired by the Cuban Revolution, the ELN initially focused on protecting rural communities from exploitation, but evolved into an armed insurgency involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping, and attacks on infrastructure, according to a Council on Foreign Relations backgrounder. Previous attempts at peace negotiations, including those in 2018 under President Juan Manuel Santos, ultimately failed.
The conflict with the ELN has resulted in the deaths of over 220,000 people in Colombia as 1985, as reported by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The ELN operates primarily in rural areas, particularly along the borders with Venezuela and Ecuador.
Resumption of Talks and Initial Progress (2022-2023)
President Gustavo Petro, who assumed office on August 7, 2022, prioritized peace negotiations with the ELN as a central pillar of his governance. He initiated talks in Quito, Ecuador, in December 2022, but these were suspended following ELN attacks, as detailed by Reuters. Negotiations were subsequently moved to Havana, Cuba, under the mediation of the Cuban government and with norway acting as a guarantor.
The Havana talks, beginning in August 2022, have focused on six key points: participation of civil society, guarantees for participation, implementation of the agreement, victims, and the end of conflict. Significant progress was made in defining a roadmap for the peace process, including agreements on the participation of victims and the implementation of humanitarian measures, according to a Peace Accord Monitor report.
key Agreements and Ceasefire extensions
A key achievement of the negotiations has been the implementation of a bilateral ceasefire,initially agreed upon in January 2023 and extended multiple times.The ceasefire,while imperfect,has led to a significant reduction in violence in conflict zones,as reported by Infobae. however, violations by both sides have been reported, leading to tensions and calls for stricter adherence to the agreement.
In August 2023, the Colombian government and the ELN agreed to extend the ceasefire until January 2024, with a commitment to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and address violations. This extension was seen as a positive sign, demonstrating a continued commitment to the peace process, as noted by Voice of America.
| Ceasefire Period | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Ceasefire | January 1,2023 | June |