The recent statement by the ELN on the suspension of peace talks with the Colombian government marks a turning point in the negotiations started in 2022. Indeed, the Guevarist guerrillas have denounced violations of the agreed rules, thus placing the discussions in a “crisis opened”.
The main source of conflict lies in the dialogue initiated by the governor of the department of Narino, Luis Alfonso Escobar, which took place in parallel with the ongoing negotiations. The ELN strongly criticized this initiative, calling it a disguised setup and deciding to freeze discussions until the government respects its commitments.
This decision comes after the ELN suspended an “armed strike” in western Colombia, a gesture interpreted as a sign of goodwill. However, tensions persist around the truce and the real desire of the parties to continue the dialogue.
The recent political context, marked by the election of Gustavo Petro as the first left-wing president in Colombia, brings a new element to negotiations with armed groups. The discussions now include not only the ELN, but also Farc dissidents and other actors in the conflict.
The rounds of negotiations, under the aegis of different countries and international organizations, encountered several pitfalls, illustrating the complexity of the peace talks in Colombia. Despite the efforts made, the ELN guerrilla remains a major actor challenging the Colombian state since its creation in 1964.
This new stage in the peace negotiations in Colombia raises crucial questions about the ability of the parties to find common ground and respect the commitments made. Faced with the uncertainty surrounding the future of the talks, it appears clear that the search for a lasting solution to the conflict remains a major challenge for all actors involved.