Alleged ELN Plot on Colombia’s Prosecutor Shakes Peace Talks

The Colombian Prosecutor General’s office raised concerns over an alleged plot by the ELN guerrilla group to assassinate the Prosecutor General, Francisco Barbosa.

This revelation significantly impacted the ongoing peace negotiations between the government and the rebels, which were marked recently by a mutual ceasefire.

Reports suggest that rebels are being trained in Venezuela to target Barbosa using snipers.

The National Liberation Army (ELN) promptly refuted these claims, suggesting it’s a tactic to undermine the peace talks that commenced in November.

The guerrilla negotiators commented on Twitter that the news delivered by Barbosa was false and is an attempt to sabotage the dialogue process.

Details of the allegation mention a July meeting of five rebel leaders near the Colombian-Venezuelan border, planning an operation against Barbosa, a staunch critic of President Gustavo Petro’s policy of negotiations with armed organizations.

Venezuela’s foreign ministry expressed its concern and assured a comprehensive and transparent investigation into any potential misuse of its territory for “terrorist” purposes.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva from Brazil emphasized the need for truth and hinted at a possible conspiracy against the peace process.

Opposition groups, skeptical of ELN’s potential disarmament for political endeavors, have called for an end to the dialogues held in various cities, including Caracas and Mexico City.

Negotiations are scheduled to continue in Venezuela from August 14, though the current situation may influence the agenda.

While thanking government support, Barbosa emphasized the importance of scrutinizing this information.

Otty Patiño, the government’s chief negotiator, said if the allegations were true, the ELN would violate fundamental international humanitarian law principles.

Given these concerns, a special Peace Process Monitoring and Verification Mechanism meeting, which includes entities like the UN and the Catholic Church, has been requested.

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