peace talks with the ELN are not progressing and the embassies are extending the end of the third cycle

Peace talks with the ELN are not progressing. Although the embassies are trying to show results, the truth is that the ELN has entered into a kind of turtle policy and there are no definite developments in the third cycle of peace.

The government of President Gustavo Petro has all the will to stop the bilateral decision, but the guerrillas of all kinds butt to extend the talks on this matter.

The dialogue proved to be so late that the delegations decided to extend the third round of the dialogue for several days in order to achieve, at least, concrete progress to report to the country.

The third round was set for May 2 in Havana (Cuba) and was expected to close on May 29. However, as of today there are no concrete developments and therefore the negotiations will continue until June 8 with the intention of an agreement on something important.

Peace Commissioner Danilo Rueda and Chief Government Interpreter Otty Patiño – Photo: Presidency

Likewise, the embassies issued a joint communiqué in which they reported on the extension of the cycle, but did not refer to the slowness of the peace process.

“The delegations of the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN), inform the public opinion; The Dialogue Board is progressing its work positively. Considering the issues in the agenda that it develops (society’s participation in the peaceful process, cessation and humanitarian actions and dynamics), it was decided to extend this third cycle until June 8, 2023. the day on which the official end of this cycle will take place,” tell the ambassadors.

Aureliano Carbonell and Pablo Beltrán, ELN peace negotiators. – Photo: Roundtable for Dialogue between the National Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army – ELN

Although the parties are naturally trying to show a positive and cordial atmosphere, the negotiations have been difficult and the ELN wants to impose conditions to agree on some kind of negotiation.

The third round was plagued by all the logistical difficulties, even the government delegation changed hotels due to problems in the place where they were staying. In addition, the ELN used some of the statements by President Peter to say that he was in a new crisis and that he was lost at that time.

“The Peace Dialogue Board expresses its gratitude to the people and Government of the Republic of Cuba, as well as to the guarantor countries and those accompanying the process for their invaluable support in building peace in Colombia.”

ELN delegation in Cuba. – Photo: Twitter: @DelegacionEln

It is a concern that the peace delegations have already completed three peace cycles and that little progress has been made, even if the parties have asserted that they have discussed some important issues.

In fact, the dialogue could pass through another crisis table, since Brazil and Chile have not yet responded to the request that the country is the fourth round army because of the little progress that the negotiation had.

Sources from the Government of Pedro have affirmed that if things continue like this, the negotiation will certainly not have a successful outcome during the term of the progressivism leader, who is two months away from completing the first year in the House of Nariño.

Antonio García, leader of the ELN and Gustavo Pedro, elected president of Colombia. – Photo: AFP/SEMANA

In addition, Antonio García, ELN commander, used his Twitter account to criticize President Pedro and his “total peace” plan.

Not that the ELN does not have an agenda, but that it is not consistent with the law, nor with the Government. Well, the proposal of the ELN is peace with social justice, where the Participation of the Society is definitive to build a better democracy”, points out García..

Then the government threw itself: “The agenda of the government with the ELN, as it has already been announced in part, is not a peace, but a complex and at the same time simplistic framework.”

For now, the peace process with this illegal armed group seems to have more obstacles than progress.