Colombia government and ELN rebels to resume peace talks
The Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) will resume peace talks on 15 March in the Ecuadorian capital Quito, both parties said.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos's government suspended negotiations in January following an escalation in violence on police stations that left six people dead and dozens more wounded.
In an announcement echoed by the ELN, Santos's negotiating team said on Twitter: ‘Tomorrow from 10:00am in Quito, Ecuador, we will begin the fifth round of peace talks between the government and the ELN.’
Ecuadorian foreign minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa, currently in New York, said it was ‘great news’ that the discussions would resume.
Espinosa said: ‘Peace in Colombia is peace for all of Latin America.’
Talks began a year ago in Sangolqui, in the suburbs of Quito – but were suspended after the end of a historic bilateral ceasefire gave way to a guerrilla offensive.
Santos announced on 12 March that the talks would resume following the rebels' unilateral ceasefire during legislative elections the day before – seen as a test of the group's willingness to get back to negotiations.
He said the parties would discuss a new, ‘broad and verifiable’ ceasefire agreement that would prevent a resurgence of violence of the kind that forced the suspension of talks in January.
The ELN ‘will continue talking’ and ‘does not reject peace,’ said its leader Nicolas Rodriguez Bautista, according to a statement released by negotiators.
Santos, who will leave office in August 2018, is hoping to establish total peace in Colombia after the disarming of the FARC guerrilla group, which has since transformed into a political party.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![UK releases security strategy and plans for future defence spending boost]()
UK releases security strategy and plans for future defence spending boost
The UK’s National Security Strategy brings together the recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR), Strategic Security Review, AUKUS Review and Industrial and Trade Strategies. At the same time, the UK made a commitment to reach defence spending of 5% of GDP by 2035 and Germany committed to 3.5% by 2029.
-
![Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide]()
Pentagon’s FY26 defence budget proposal is $130 billion more than US Congress plans to provide
The House Committee on Appropriations approved a FY2026 bill reducing investments in main defence programmes.
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
