NOS News•today, 04:11
The Colombian terrorist group ELN is going to kidnap people for ransom again. In December, ELN said it would stop this if a ceasefire between the group and the Colombian government was extended.
The rebel group now says that the government has not fulfilled the agreements made during peace negotiations. According to the rebels, the government is taking too long to set up a fund, even though that was supposed to be the agreement.
Since the end of 2022, there have been six rounds of talks between the left-wing National Liberation Army ELN and the Colombian government. The aim is for the rebels to put down their weapons and reintegrate into society. Negotiations have failed in recent months, after which ELN decided to suspend the talks before April.
Promise to society
The Colombian government said in a statement that it hoped that ELN would reconsider its decision. “We hope that the ELN will keep its promise to Colombian society and the international community to put an end to all forms of kidnapping.”
The ELN has been fighting the government of Colombia since 1964. By kidnapping people for ransom, the rebels can continue to finance their fight. At least 450,000 people have been killed in the conflict.
In October, the rebel group again made global headlines when members kidnapped the parents of Liverpool footballer Luis Díaz. His mother was quickly freed, but his father was only released after twelve days. The ELN later said the kidnapping had been a mistake.
