In Mexico, the fifth cycle of dialogues between the Government and the ELN is taking place. This guerrilla group has indicated that the suspension of the kidnapping cannot lead to weakening the structure and financing of this organization.
Web/LN Editorial
The Colombian Government and the ELN guerrilla have been talking in Mexico for 15 days, seeking to reach an agreement on the kidnapping, an issue that generated a crisis in the dialogues among other points that allow the advancement of this peace process.
Fundamental pillar
Already at the dialogue table, the issue of kidnapping was discussed and a temporary route was initially evaluated to suspend this practice for economic purposes and to free the people that this guerrilla has in its power. This is how Pablo Beltrán, head of the ELN negotiating team, explains it.
“We have also said that in an extension of the cessation it is possible that we incorporate a temporary suspension, for example of economic withholdings, but that we must also see how this does not lead to a weakening of the ELN and how there is an equivalent alternative issue that avoids a weakening, because it is about lowering the intensity of the armed confrontation, but increasing work and political activity. So in that sense we carry out the discussions here at the table.”
Other issues that the parties have addressed in the 15 days that they have been in this fifth cycle are the adjustment of the bilateral ceasefire, humanitarian issues and the eradication of paramilitarism focused on territorial transformations.
Vera Grabe, the new head of the Government delegation in these dialogues, participates in the discussions and the atmosphere is positive in the ELN delegation with her arrival and it is hoped that her arrival can give a new air to this peace process.
With information from: Caracol Radio
