Maduro agrees to be the guarantor of negotiations between Colombia and the National Liberation Army

Gustavo Petro moved a multi-influenced piece onto the Latin American board at the request of his Venezuelan colleague Nicolas Maduro To act as guarantor of the complex negotiations conducted by the Colombian state and National Liberation Army (ELN)), a guerrilla of Guevarian origin that has been in operation since the mid-1960s. The invitation, as expected, had a strong influence in the two countries concerned.

Once again! Venezuela accepts the role of guarantor with the National Liberation Army. we will do our best In the name of God Almighty Father. I bring the voice of the entire people, six million Colombians live in Venezuela; The President assured, a few days after receiving the Colombian Ambassador in Caracas, Armando Benedetti, that we will do all our efforts, all our work, with open arms. Maduro said he acts in harmony with the actions of his predecessor, “Just like Captain (Hugo) Chavez did To ensure peace agreements “between then-President Alvaro Uribe and the FARC, which did not come to fruition.

In his letter to Maduro, Petro also asked for “your authorization and cooperation in the peace process that we are resuming.” He pointed out in this regard that withActive sharing“Venezuela, and five other countries as guarantors, a framework agreement was signed in Caracas in 2016 to start peace talks with the National Liberation Army, which ultimately did not bear fruit.

According to Radio Caracol in Bogota, after Maduro said “yes”, many members of the National Liberation Army who were in Havana traveled to Caracas.

once again! Venezuela accepts the status of guarantor of the negotiations and peace agreements in Colombia with the National Liberation Army. We will do our best for the complete peace of the brotherly Colombian people, which is the peace of our country and the whole continent. pic.twitter.com/q6AangUNfh

– Nicolas Maduro (@Nicolas Maduro) September 14, 2022

historical development

On August 20, Petro signed a decree temporarily suspending arrest and extradition orders against leaders of the “National Liberation Army” who remained in Cuba. As in 2014 when new negotiations were attempted with the FARC, the island will once again fulfill its role as host and guarantor of the talks. At the same time, the role of Spain must be determined, as stated during the last meeting between Pedro Sanchez and Petro.

Since his accession to the presidency, Petro has set out to embody his proposal with “complete peace” in Colombia. An agreement with ELN is essential to achieving an ambitious roadmap that must also include others Far-right armed groups And even the Del Golfo clan, the main drug faction. The issue of Guevarista’s rebellion is particularly relevant to Venezuela due to its presence in neighboring regions. Fighters often enter and leave the neighboring country with the knowledge of the Venezuelan military authorities.

An official contact made by the Colombian government with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, asking him to be the guarantor in peace talks with the guerrillas of the National Liberation Army.Tweet embed pic.twitter.com/NBKI7nEQUR

– Hernan Tobar (@TobarteleSUR) September 13, 2022

Petro’s gesture toward Maduro caused mixed reactions that could be predicted. Part of the opposition forces in Venezuela and Colombia do not see with good eyes the recognition that made the Nariño Palace of the Venezuelan president a legitimate international actor. They consider that Maduro wins this game much more than his Colombian colleague. “Paradoxically, the mediator is someone who is unable to sit down with the oppositionhuman rights activist, Ligia Bolivar

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For political scientist Ronal Rodriguez, the search for a peace agreement with the ELN runs relentlessly through Venezuela, not only as a guarantor state but as a party to the negotiations. “It is pointless to dismantle the Colombian National Liberation Army and reach peace if the Venezuelan component is not put on the table,” he told the portal. empty chair.

Researcher Angelica Rodriguez estimated that Petro’s call was not surprising. On the other hand, it is trying to resume part of the interrupted negotiation track in 2016. But it asserts, in addition, that the Colombian government has emphasized that without Maduro’s participation it will be difficult to make progress in the talks. “It’s no secret that the National Liberation Army is a binational guerrilla war‘,” identified analyst Charles Larat Smith.