Colombia's President Gustavo Petro announced the termination of peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) due to a lack of 'will for peace.' The decision follows escalating violence in the Catatumbo region, where clashes between the ELN and dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have resulted in over 30 fatalities, including five former peace agreement signatories.
The Ombudsman, Iris Marín, reported the situation's severity, confirming the death toll and highlighting additional issues such as kidnappings, the plight of unaccompanied children, and forced displacements. Marín characterized the events as 'war crimes,' prompting President Petro to suspend dialogues with the ELN.
In social media footage, residents are seen seeking refuge in their homes amid crossfire between the ELN and the Central General Staff (EMC), a FARC dissident group. EMC leader Andrey Avendaño accused the ELN of targeting civilians and unarmed individuals.
Marín called for the ELN to respect International Humanitarian Law and cease attacks on civilians while urging humanitarian actions to protect the affected population. The Catatumbo region, located in Norte de Santander, is known for its poverty and mountainous terrain, with various armed groups vying for control over coca cultivation and drug trafficking routes.
In his announcement, President Petro condemned the ELN's actions as war crimes and emphasized that the group shows no genuine interest in pursuing peace.