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Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the suspension of peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) on Friday, citing the group's involvement in violent attacks that he labeled war crimes. The announcement followed the ELN's attack in the Catatumbo region, which left five demobilized members of the FARC rebels dead and displaced numerous civilians.
Petro, who had rekindled negotiations with the ELN in 2022, expressed frustration at the group's actions, stating, "The ELN has no will for peace." This marks the latest setback in a peace process fraught with challenges, including prior ELN attacks on security forces and continued violence despite ongoing dialogue.
The United Nations condemned the recent violence, which also saw the ELN target members of the Estado Mayor Central, a FARC splinter faction engaged in separate peace talks with the government. As tensions rise, the future of peace efforts in Colombia hangs in the balance, with many questioning whether the dialogue can yield lasting solutions to the country's decades-long conflict.
