Petro: If ELN accepts this, new paths to peace will open
Bogotá, May 1 (Hibya) – Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that the reason for the halt in peace talks with the ELN is not social support as claimed, but the group’s failure to break away from the illegal economy.
Responding to statements by the ELN leader in Chocó, Petro clarified the debate over the peace process, saying that the real reason for suspending the process is not being accurately conveyed and that the issue is not support for fighters but the continuation of illegal activities.
Petro said: “My proposal to end violence is the dismantling of the illegal economy. The wealth of the land can finance the transition of thousands of fighters to peace.”
Criticizing the ELN, Petro stated: “At its own conference, the ELN decided not to finalize peace with this government.” Referring to the violence before the Caracas talks, he added: “For this reason, I halted the negotiation table.”
Petro also clearly outlined his conditions for restarting peace: “The beginning of peace is accepting the dismantling of the illegal economy.” He added that negotiations could resume with groups that accept this condition, emphasizing: “If the ELN accepts this, new paths to peace will open.”
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