In a significant step forward for President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” agenda, the Maoist National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla announced a temporary suspension of kidnappings for economic gain. The announcement was made at the conclusion of the sixth cycle of peace negotiations in Havana, Cuba.
The negotiations from the Cuban capital resulted in several key agreements, including the extension of a six-month bilateral ceasefire, effective until August 3, 2024. The extension for another six months of the ceasefire encompasses the “temporary” suspension of kidnappings for economic purposes, as well as the establishment of a multi-donor fund dedicated to supporting the peace process.
In total, seven documents were signed at the conclusion of the talks, and considered, even among the Colombain opposition as significant, if not historic.
The former M-19 guerrilla commander, Vera Grabe, and head of the government’s delegation, highlighted the purpose of the multi-donor fund, emphasizing its focus on strengthening and ensuring the sustainability of the peace process. Left-wing Senator Iván Cepeda of Pacto Histórico also highlighted that the fund, involving the Colombian state, peace guarantor governments, and potential participants such as the United Nations will be used exclusively for ensuring the peace process with ELN is sustainable. Cepeda emphasized that resources from the fund would not be diverted to military activities.
The closing event in Havana had to be postponed by a day due to difficulties in reaching common ground. The delegations evaluated the events of the first six months of the ceasefire and outlined conditions for its extension. The ELN’s chief negotiator Pablo Beltrán outlined that while the suspension of civilian kidnappings for extortion will be suspended, the nefarious practice does not include members of the Armed Forces.
The ELN came under intense public scrutiny, and international condemnation last year, after the guerrilla confirmed that they had kidnapped Manuel Díaz, father of the Liverpool FC striker footballer Luis Díaz. According to Colombia’s Ombudsman, Carlos Camargo, 110 persons were kidnapped by ELN in 2023, and more than 20 still remain hostage. Camargo urged the guerrilla “to report the number of people they have in their possession” and called on the ELN to “return all (hostages) safe and sound.”
With news from Cuba that the ELN agreed to the six-month extension, President Petro and Defense Minister Iván Velásquez signed Decree 104 in which the national government commits to “the Bilateral, National, and Temporary Ceasefire in the context of the political dialogue between the National Government and the National Liberation Army (ELN).”
The decree orders the suspension of all military operations and offensive police operations” against the guerrilla. In the official government text, the ceasefire “aims to improve the humanitarian situation of populations and territories,” as well as “create conditions for the civilian population to exercise their rights and freedoms, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable.” The next round of talks with ELN is scheduled for April in Cuba.
 guerrilla has announced a temporary suspension of economic kidnappings as part of an extended six-month bilateral ceasefire, marking a significant step toward President Petro’s “total peace” policy.){kind=link}