The ELN’s request to the Government to extend the ceasefire

The government indicated yesterday that it wants to opt for a “technical extension” of the bilateral ceasefire with the guerrillas, given the lack of agreements.

“We are aware that time is running out to prepare the necessary conditions for the new extension and, for this reason, we agree with you on the option of making a technical extension of the ceasefire that will allow us to hold the meeting of the heads of delegations.”explained the chief negotiator, Vera Grabe, and Senator Iván Cepeda, in a letter addressed to the UN and the Catholic Church, companions of the process.

The bilateral ceasefire with the ELN, the longest agreed and carried out with the guerrillas, which began a year ago, ends this Saturday but the parties have not met to agree on its extension, so uncertainty reigns over what will happen from today.

The ELN also claims that it has not received the extension proposal and insists that the government has not complied with the agreement, while the government asks the guerrillas to “clarify” whether they have a “purpose of achieving peace” and real will.