The Colombian government has suspended peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group due to a surge in violence in the Catatumbo region. The region has seen at least seven deaths, dozens of injuries, and displacement of residents, according to official reports.
President Gustavo Petro announced the decision to suspend negotiations on his X account, stating that the ELN’s actions in Catatumbo constitute “war crimes” and that the group “has no desire for peace.”
The violence in the region is attributed to clashes between different armed groups vying for territorial control. The Colombian government had been engaging in peace talks with the ELN since 2022, but the process has been marred by repeated episodes of violence.
Renewed Violence in Catatumbo
The Catatumbo region, comprising 15 municipalities in northeastern Colombia, has been plagued by violence in recent days. Local sources report that up to 23 people may have been killed, although official figures confirm seven deaths.
Governor William Villamizar described the situation as “distressing” and expressed regret that the government’s peace overtures had not been reciprocated.
ELN Statement
The ELN issued a statement justifying its actions as a response to the “insatiable filth” of FARC dissidents in the region. The group warned that violence would continue until the opposing faction surrendered.
The ELN also declared that merchants and civilians collaborating with the opposing group would be considered “military objectives” and warned companies, such as Ecopetrol and Disico, that had reached agreements with the opposing group would face similar consequences.
Peace Process
The suspension of peace talks marks a setback for the Colombian government’s efforts to negotiate a peace agreement with the ELN. The two parties had appeared to be making progress in November 2024, but the recent surge in violence has derailed the process.
This is not the first time that peace talks with the ELN have been suspended. In 2019, negotiations were halted after the ELN attacked a cadet school in Bogotá, killing around 20 people.