2024-05-08 07:26:59
The National Directorate of the National Liberation Army (ELN) announced on Monday afternoon that it is ending its commitment to unilaterally suspend kidnappings for extortion purposes, known as “economic withholdings.” This decision is based on what the guerrilla perceives as non-compliance by the Government in the creation of the Multi-donor Fund to finance activities related to peace.
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In a statement issued by the ELN central command, it is explained that the suspension of kidnappings, announced in January of this year as a contribution to the Bilateral, National and Temporary Ceasefire (CFBNT), is revoked due to the lack of progress in the creation of the aforementioned fund. According to the ELN, the Government shows “little will” to advance in this aspect, which has led the guerrilla group to resume these actions.
The ELN had maintained that its decision to suspend extortionate kidnappings was intended to contribute to the development of the peace process. However, the lack of progress in establishing the Multi-Donor Fund has led to the revocation of this measure. Despite this decision, the ELN affirmed that it will continue to comply with the ceasefire and maintain its willingness to negotiate new agreements in coherence with the horizon of a political solution to the conflict, as established in the Mexico Agreement.
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The Government delegation in the peace process with the ELN responded that the creation of the Multi-donor Fund was not linked to the suspension of kidnappings or other specific actions included in the ceasefire. Furthermore, they reiterated that human trade lacks justification and that its elimination is not the subject of any negotiation by the Colombian State.