Colombian president, ELN rebels meet in Bogota for first time as six-month ceasefire comes into force
Colombian President Gustavo Petro says the meeting will "generate hope" after multiple negotiation rounds in Cuba, Venezuela, and Mexico.On July 4, both parties said they would stop attacking each other ahead of the ceasefire. / Photo: AFP
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has met leaders of the ELN rebel group in Bogota for the first time, as a six-month ceasefire came into force. The Colombian government resumed peace talks with the ELN after Petro was elected a year ago, as the leftist leader seeks to put an end to decades of armed conflict with rebel groups.
"Never before in modern history has the ELN been in this position, speaking from the heart of Colombia," Petro told a crowd of hundreds on Thursday, including farmers, Indigenous communities, military and civil society representatives."This act, watched by thousands of Colombian men and women," through television,"begins to generate hope," added Petro, who has attended negotiations with the ELN in Mexico, Venezuela, and Cuba, where the ceasefire was agreed in June.
The rebel leader lived much of his life in hiding in Colombia but has been mostly living in Cuba since prior peace talks were called off in 2019 after an attack that left 20 policemen dead."We see this as its commitment to the peace process, we see it as being in good faith," said the 69-year-old rebel.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Poll shows Former President Trump and President Biden are neck and neck on campaign trailA surprising new poll by the New York Times and Siena College show that Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden are neck and neck when it comes to campaigning for the 2024 Presidential Election. Mike Ross spoke with our Washington News Bureau's Molly Martinez to get the details.
Read more »
Juanes Says ‘Doing a Reset’ Was ‘One of the Most Important Things’ on His Mental Health JourneyThe Colombian singer-songwriter speaks at length in a candid interview with Billboard.
Read more »
Son of Colombia's president pleads not guilty to money laundering chargesThe eldest son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Nicolas Petro, on Tuesday pled not guilty to charges of money laundering and illicit enrichment at a court in the capital.
Read more »
Son of Colombia's president admits illegal money entered election campaign -prosecutorNicolas Petro, the eldest son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, on Thursday admitted that illegal money entered his father's election campaign last year, the prosecutor handling the case said on Thursday.
Read more »
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko wants Wagner Group Russian fighters for his armyBelarus President Alexander Lukashenko wants the Wagner Group Russian mercenary fighters remaining in his country to form the core of a professional “contract army” to help upgrade his military capabilities.
Read more »
California school board president speaks out after receiving 'death threats' for supporting parents: 'Evil'California school board President Sonja Shaw is speaking out as she continues to receive death threats for supporting a pro-parent transparency policy in schools.
Read more »