Colombian Government reverses ‘ceasefire’ agreement with ELN forces

The Colombian government on Wednesday reversed the ceasefire which President Gustavo Petro announced on New Year’s Eve, indicating that a truce had been agreed with the Colombia’s five largest armed groups.

The Colombian government noted that the ceasefire agreement  with the ELN armed group was suspended since the armed group denied it had agreed to peace deal.

Colombia Interior Minister Alfonso Prada stated on Wednesday in Bogota, “In view of the position publicly assumed (by the ELN)… we have decided to suspend the legal effects of the decree.”

President Gustavo Petro of Colombia,  on New Year Eve, announced that a truce had been agreed with the country’s five largest armed groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN), from January 1 to June 30.

The President also noted that the truce was commended by the international community, adding that the United Nations, Colombia’s human rights ombudsman and the Catholic Church were to monitored the process.

The ELN, however, declared on Tuesday  that it had “not discussed any bilateral ceasefire with the Gustavo Petro government, therefore no such agreement exists.”

The government, thereafter, admitted that a proposed ceasefire decree had yet been signed.