The Colombian government and the leftist guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), on Friday, June 9, signed a historic agreement on a six-month bilateral ceasefire. The parties also reached an agreement on the participation of civil society in the development of the peace negotiations as well as in verification and monitoring mechanisms.
The ceasefire will be applicable nationwide and will enter into force on August 3. Before the ceasefire, between June 9 and July 5, the preparation and the process of pedagogy of the ceasefire mechanisms will take place. Both parties will give the orders of cessation of offensive operations on July 6, and finally, on August 3, the ceasefire will be fully implemented.
During the six months of ceasefire, the Colombian Armed Forces and the ELN guerrillas will stop all kinds of offensive operations against each other. Additionally, the rebel group will halt any hostilities against the civilian population.
With regard to the participation of civil society, a National Participation Committee will be created that will begin functioning on July 25. It will include representatives from 30 sectors of society, who will contribute to the transformation of the country and the achievement of peace.
The agreements on the long-awaited truce and the participation of society in the process were reached during the third round of peace talks, which began on May 2 and concluded on June 9 in Havana, Cuba.
Colombian government and the ELN welcome agreements
President Gustavo Petro, who traveled to Cuba to attend the closing ceremony of the third round of talks, celebrated the agreement on the ceasefire.
“I agree with the proposed national agreement. The rights of society must be guaranteed. The people of Colombia are demonstrating that there is a second chance for peace in Colombia,” said Petro.
“We are on the side of life and you, the ELN commanders, by signing these progressive agreements are placing yourselves in very different circumstances than when the agreements 84 and 89 were signed. In a certain way, here ends the phase of the armed insurgency in Latin America, with its myths and realities,” said Petro.
“May the decades-long war between the ELN and the national government end definitely on May 25, 2025,” he added.
The head of state thanked Cuba for its commitment to building peace in Colombia. “I once again have to thank Cuba for its efforts for peace in Colombia,” said Petro.
Antonio García, the First Commander of the ELN, also thanked Cuba for its efforts and hospitality. “We owe the main effort of this process to Cuba. Without that effort it would be impossible to get here,” said García.
The ELN leader called for this peace process to be of a different kind. “We cannot repeat old stories, we have had many peace processes that have only led to demobilization and disarmament. The guerrillas demobilize and continue to be political prisoners, their persecution continues. This peace process must be different,” said García.
“Our mission is to be the voice of the excluded Colombian society. We are one voice and we represent the armed rebellion of the Colombian People. This process must restore dignity to the Colombian people,” he added.
For his part, Pablo Beltrán, the Second Commander of the ELN and the head of the delegation, called on the society to actively take part in the process.
“We hope that with the participation of society there will be a deep analysis of the causes that originate the conflict. Society can count on the ELN to solve causes, not consequences,” said Beltrán. “May this be the People’s Agreement!,” he added.
Beltrán also expressed his gratitude to Cuba, its president and its people, and called for lifting of the US sanctions against Cuba. “In a very heartfelt way, we want to thank President Díaz Canel for all the support he has given us in this process. Also, from this negotiating table, we request that Cuba be removed from the list of sanctions that harm the people,” he said.
The news marks a turning point in the history of Colombia, which has been plagued by violence for over 60 years of internal armed conflict. The peace talks with the ELN are a crucial part of the goal of the Petro government to bring “total peace” to the country.
National celebration
Human rights organizations, social movements, community leaders and activists have welcomed the agreements on ceasefire and the participation of civil society.
Luis Emil Sanabria Duran, human rights activist and founder of the Redepaz, expressed his satisfaction, saying “Peace is making headway, the ceasefire with ELN is taking shape and will become a reality as of August, 2023. Citizens’ participation will have its own committee to promote it as of July, 2023. Total and integral peace is the path and the goal.”
Congreso de los Pueblos (People’s Congress), a social and political movement, also celebrated the agreements and called for a great national agreement for the real transformation of the country. “This peace agreement will have real fruits beyond pacification if it achieves a real, binding, protagonist participation of the Colombian people, especially the historically marginalized sectors. More than an agreement between the National Government and the ELN, we need a great national process that allows us to re-found the country. A great agreement with the deep and broad participation of the people. Otherwise, we will be signing yet another agreement to continue the war,” stated the CdP.
Red Campesina Rural, a national network of peasant organizations, welcomed the announcement of the bilateral ceasefire between the government and the ELN. “The country needs a dialogue without the pressure of hostilities that guarantees full participation of society in the construction of peace,” they wrote.
International congratulations
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel congratulated the Colombian government and the ELN on reaching crucial agreements. He called on the people of Colombia to continue on the path of peace. “This is an exceptional opportunity to advance peace for Colombia. Colombians do not stop. Put your hearts into peace for Colombia,” he said during the closing ceremony.
The Venezuelan government of President Nicolás Maduro also congratulates the Colombian government and the ELN for the achievements made in the third round.
“The Bolivarian Government celebrates the signing of the agreements for the processes of participation of society in the construction of peace and the bilateral, temporary and national ceasefire, reached in this successful journey that constitutes a definitive path for peace in our sister nation Colombia. Venezuela as a guarantor country expresses its most unrestricted support to President Gustavo Petro and his people for their firm will to promote total peace in Colombia,” said the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry in a statement.
Through its Twitter account, the ELN reported that the fourth round of talks will be in Venezuela.
