winds of peace in colombia

Colombia’s last active rebel group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), has announced that it will stop fighting as of July 6.

The Colombian Defense Minister announced that the armed forces will also stop the attacks from that date.

The complete ceasefire process, which will last 6 months, will begin in August.

The ELN, which has been operating for 60 years, stated that it will defend itself against attacks by the military or other armed groups.

If that happens, it will be the longest truce the ELN has agreed to since it took up arms against the Colombian state in 1964.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro promised to bring complete peace to the country when he took office last year.

THE DOUBT CONTINUES

According to the BBC report, there are doubts about the success of the ceasefire. ELN members killed three police officers in northeastern Colombia the day the ceasefire was announced. Previous negotiations had also been held with the ELN as part of a landmark 2016 peace deal with the largest rebel group the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), but they had failed.