Brazil to participate as guarantor country in peace negotiations with ELN in Colombia

The Brazilian government announced yesterday, Monday, that it had accepted Colombia’s invitation to participate again, as a guarantor country, in the peace talks between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN).

In a statement, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry recalled that it had already contributed to these peace dialogues, also in the role of guarantor country until the negotiations were interrupted in 2019.

“The resumption of negotiations between the Colombian government and the ELN, one of the priorities of President Gustavo Petro’s ‘total peace’ policy, was formalized on November 21, 2022, when the parties constituted a dialogue table to restart the negotiation of a peace agreement,” the Itamaraty Palace said.

On November 25, the parties confirmed Cuba, Venezuela, and Norway as guarantor countries and invited Brazil, Chile, and Mexico to play this role.

“Brazil is pleased to rejoin the process, which is fundamental for the consolidation of peace in Colombia and of great importance for the region and the world,” the Brazilian Foreign Ministry stressed.

The ELN guerrillas, active since 1964, agreed only once to a bilateral ceasefire in 2017 while maintaining a peace process with the government of Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2018).

Last December 31, President Petro announced a unilateral ceasefire, canceled three days later when ELN representatives denied agreeing to a truce.