facebook
linkedin
twitter
About Us
  • BFSI
  • Energy
  • Infocom
  • Mining
  • Venture
  • Industry
  • Travel
  • Civic
  • Food, Health, Ag
  • Real Estate
  • Responsibility
  • Economy
  • Law & Justice
  • Interview
  • Analysis
ELN National Liberation Army 375

Colombia Signs Ceasefire with ELN Guerrilla Group Two Days Before Visit by Pope Francis

Posted OnSeptember 4, 2017
By :Jared Wade
Comment: Off
Tag: bogotá, cartagena, ecuador, Ejército de Liberación Nacional, eln, farc, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, Guerrilla, juan manuel santos, medellin, National Liberation Army, Papa Francisco, peace process, pope Francis, quito, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, united nations

The Colombian government today signed a temporary bilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities with the National Liberation Army (ELN), the guerrilla group that became Colombia’s largest following the peace deal reached with the FARC late last year.

The two sides, which have been formally negotiating since February in the Ecuadorian capital Quito, had stepped up the urgency to reach an agreement in the lead up to this week’s historic visit to Colombia by Pope Francis.

papa francisco colombia ELN (Credit: Jared Wade)

Colombia is abuzz in the lead up to the papal visit, with vendors in Bogotá selling hats, shirts, and more to celebrate the occasion. (Credit: Jared Wade)

The ceasefire will officially begin on October 1, President Juan Manuel Santos said today in an address, and last for a period of 102 days until January 9. After that point, the truce “will be renewed to the extent that it is fulfilled and the negotiations on other points advance.”

The ceasefire includes a pledge by the ELN to stop kidnapping, attacking pipelines, and committing “other hostilities against citizens,” stressed the president.

A new round of talks will begin in Quito on October 24, and throughout the ceasefire a group — including members of the government, ELN, United Nations and the Catholic Church — will “work with the dual purpose of preventing and reporting any incident,” said the government in a statement.

The United Nations, in a statement, praised today’s agreement as another “concrete step” forward to create confidence in Colombia’s peace process and support human rights. It said that Colombian citizens who directly suffer under violence will be the principal beneficiaries of the ceasefire.

The ELN was founded in 1964 with support from Catholic priests and has been a primary belligerent force in an internal conflict that dates back more than a half-century. It is believed to have upwards of 2,000 active members and has continued to abduct citizens even during peace talks.

Earlier this year, it took two Dutch journalists hostage. Just this week, group members also took credit for killing a hostage in April who they had abducted in late 2016.

“The pope arrives at a unique moment in our history, when we turn the page on an absurd conflict and look forward to the future,” said Santos.

The head of the Catholic Church will arrive in Colombia for the first time in more than three decades on Wednesday, September 6. Pope Francis, who has been a vital voice in promoting peace and overcoming old wounds in Latin America, suggested last year that he would visit the country if it was able to reach peace with the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia).

The end of the conflict with FARC, reached by a controversial peace agreement that was initially voted down by the public at a ballot box, was further cemented last week. The former guerrillas, who handed over their weapons to United Nations officials earlier this summer, officially transitioned their group under new leadership into a political party, the Common Alternative Revolutionary Force (FARC).

With FARC disbanded as an armed group and ELN at least temporarily pledging to avoid violence, Pope Francis plans to call for reconciliation during his five-day visit to a country that has been living through conflict for the majority of the 80-year-old’s life.

According to the Vatican — during stops in Cartagena, Medellín, Villavicencio, and Bogotá — the pope will focus his prayers and addresses on the following themes: “Builders of Peace, Promoters of Life,” “Reconciliation with God, Among Colombians and with Nature,” “The Christian Vocation and Apostolate,” and “The Dignity of People and Human Rights.”

DON'T MISS OUT: The only English-language Colombia news that's strictly business, markets, & investment!
Join global executives & investors by subscribing to our FREE weekly updates
I agree to have my personal information transferred to MailChimp ( more information ) DISCLAIMER: Protección de Datos Personales Artículo 15 de la Constitución Política de Colombia, ley 1581 de 2012 y decreto 1377 de 2013.
We will never spam you or share your email address ¡Nunca Jamás!

Share the news!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn
  • Skype

Related

Share your thoughts:

comments

Avatar
About the Author
Jared Wade is editor in chief of Finance Colombia. He is a Bogotá-based journalist with 15 years of experience covering topics including business, financial services, Latin America, and sports. Email him at jared.wade(at) financecolombia.com or follow him on Twitter at @Jared_Wade.
  • google-share
Previous Story

Colombia to Use $1.45 Billion USD in Arbitration Payments from Claro and Movistar for Pre-financing 2018 Budget

Next Story

Colombian Congress Approves $81.3 Billion USD Budget for 2018

Related Posts

0

What Jumps Out: Where Is Everyone Going?

Posted OnApril 9, 2021
, ByRupert Stebbings
medellin colombia
0

Medellín Selected As Co-Headquarters For World Economic Forum G20 Smart Cities Alliance Initiative

Posted OnApril 8, 2021
, ByLoren Moss
0

El Cielo Hospitality Group Expands With New Medellín Hotel, Washington DC Restaurant

Posted OnApril 6, 2021
, ByLoren Moss




RECENT

POPULAR

COMMENTS

What Jumps Out: Where Is Everyone Going?

Posted On April 9, 2021
medellin colombia

Medellín Selected As Co-Headquarters For World Economic Forum G20 Smart Cities Alliance Initiative

Posted On April 8, 2021

El Cielo Hospitality Group Expands With New Medellín Hotel, Washington DC Restaurant

Posted On April 6, 2021
A Khiron agricultural technician in their Ibagué, Tolima facilities.

Khiron Begins Exports of Colombian Cannabis To Germany

Posted On April 6, 2021
© 2020 Loren Moss

US Embassy Issues Guidance On Colombia Post-Easter Covid Restrictions

Posted On April 6, 2021
Photo montage courtesy EPM

EPM’s Board of Directors Resign En Masse, Creating Crisis For Mayor Daniel Quintero

Posted On August 17, 2020

Court Blocks Colombia’s $370 Million USD Emergency Loan To Bankrupt Avianca Airlines

Posted On September 12, 2020

AVIANCA IS BANKRUPT

Posted On May 10, 2020
copa airlines

Copa Airlines Raising $350 Million USD War Chest Via Private Notes Offering

Posted On April 27, 2020

Declan Ryan Says Viva Air Not Being Treated Fairly By Colombian Government: Exclusive Interview

Posted On September 3, 2020
Avatar

[…] Sky Airline each may operate 4...

Posted On April 6, 2021
Avatar

[…] didn’t know that; that...

Posted On April 6, 2021
Avatar

[…] during his mayoral campaign...

Posted On April 6, 2021
Avatar

[…] existing Viva aircraft are...

Posted On March 30, 2021
Avatar

[…] Publicado en Finance Colombia...

Posted On March 23, 2021

Watch This!

Book With Us

Consider Advertising With Us

Click here to visit Expat Group's English site

Subscribe Free

don't forget to include "http://"
* = required field
Your Background / Function








unsubscribe from list

RECENT

POPULAR

COMMENTS

What Jumps Out: Where Is Everyone Going?

Posted On April 9, 2021
medellin colombia

Medellín Selected As Co-Headquarters For World Economic Forum G20 Smart Cities Alliance Initiative

Posted On April 8, 2021

El Cielo Hospitality Group Expands With New Medellín Hotel, Washington DC Restaurant

Posted On April 6, 2021
Photo montage courtesy EPM

EPM’s Board of Directors Resign En Masse, Creating Crisis For Mayor Daniel Quintero

Posted On August 17, 2020

Court Blocks Colombia’s $370 Million USD Emergency Loan To Bankrupt Avianca Airlines

Posted On September 12, 2020
copa airlines

Copa Airlines Raising $350 Million USD War Chest Via Private Notes Offering

Posted On April 27, 2020
Avatar

[…] Sky Airline each may operate 4...

Posted On April 6, 2021
Avatar

[…] didn’t know that; that...

Posted On April 6, 2021
Avatar

[…] during his mayoral campaign...

Posted On April 6, 2021

Watch This!

Contact Us (Click the image):

Book With Us

Pages

  • About Us
  • Colombia Events, Conferences, Festivals and Important Dates
  • Contact Us
  • main
  • Media Partnerships
  • Privacy Policy
  • Whatsapp test page
Copyright 2014-2020 Finance Colombia All Rights Reserved. We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
WhatsApp us
loadingCancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.