Colombia - December 2023

A fifth round of peace talks between the government and the ELN (National Liberation Army) took place in December. Negotiations with ELN are part of President Petro’s peace plans, which also include negotiations with dissident groups of the now extinct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), paramilitary and criminal groups. At the end of negotiations, the ELN agreed to suspend civilian kidnappings as a means to obtain financing. A high-profile kidnapping in December, which took place during a six-month cease-fire, had put pressure on both sides to engage in a new round of negotiations. During this last round of peace talks the participation of civil society in the peace process, and the establishment of conditions to ensure an extension of the ceasefire were also agreed, as was the commitment of both sides to the peace process.

In early December, before discussion with ELN took place, the largest dissident group of the former FARC, the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), announced it would cease the practice of kidnappings for economic purposes, in the context of its own negotiations with the government.

Sources: EFE, El Pais (1),  El Pais (2)