Colombia: ELN, Gov't Agree On Release of 9 'Kidnapped' People

The National Liberation Army (ELN) announced Tuesday morning that they acknowledge the government's disposition to activate the mechanisms for the liberation of nine "Kidnapped" people, civil and military, under ELN detention.

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"This morning we learned of the government's willingness to hand over the detainees," wrote the ELN in a statement Tuesday. "We are waiting for the relevant information and procedures to be processed internally. To the extent that public management advances are made, the information will be publicized," could be read in the statement.

The ELN is looking for a Bilateral Ceasefire with the Colombian government in order to achieve a Peace accord. "We have every disposition for the talks to take place in the midst of a Bilateral Ceasefire," stated on Twitter Pablo Beltrán, Commander of the ELN.

This announcement comes after Colombia's Defense Ministry and the Red Cross International Committee stated the activation of the protocols necessary for the liberation of the nine persons detained by the insurgent group.

"In strict compliance with the rules of International Humanitarian Law, they (the ELN) have the obligation to release the hostages immediately without any conditions," stated the Defense Ministry, in the announcement.

In an interview with the journal Gara, Nicolas Rodriguez Bautista "Gabino" stated that "Even with all the difficulties, the ELN has bet and will continue to bet on peace (...) The same disposition we have to dialogue with the next (Duque's) government."

On other kidnapped people, Colombian President Ivan Duque stated "I have not agreed with the fact that some people now intend to intimidate the country by seeking bilateral ceasefires while committing acts that are deplorable and despicable in daylight," referring tacitly to the ELN. This was said during the recognition of troops ceremony along with new Defense Minister Guillermo Botero in a military school.

Under "no circumstance can we accept that kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking are considered crimes related to politics or mechanisms to finance the rebellion," said the new Colombian president, which can be seen as a step back regarding the possibilities to reestablish peace talks and negotiations between the ELN and the new Colombia government.