20, December, 2022
Colombia`s last remaining rebel army announces a festive season ceasefire spanning from Christmas Eve, until January 2nd. The truce is a welcome extension of peace talks.
The ceasefire, which is hoped might extend even further, is another sign of tangible hope and goodwill. It means no armed action being taken against Colombia`s Armed Forces or State Police for this time span or for the time being, provided the ELN is not provoked or attacked.
Peace talks between the Colombian Government and the National Liberation Army resumed last month, following a three-year rupture, after a hard-line faction of the ELN, car bombed a Police Cadet base in the Capital Bogota, killing 22 people.
New President of Colombia Gustavo Petro is pledging to give rapprochement a chance with a Total Peace Plan. On December 12th, both sides agreed to unfreeze billions in logjammed Colombian assets, establish a social, food and education fund, and help the poorest and most needy. And next month, a second round of peace negotiations starts in Mexico, which is a facilitator and guarantor along with Norway.
The ELN has been waging an armed campaign, attacking oil pipelines, Government installations and kidnapping, since 1964. The same year as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia the FARC, starting their blitz. The FARC signed a peace agreement with the Government in 2016, and have since evolved into a political party. The same destiny is planned, hoped and prayed for concerning the ELN.