ELN, Colombian Government Resume Talks in Cuba

The fifth round of talks between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) will resume Thursday in Havana, Cuba. The discussions will follow in the footsteps of the peace negotiations with the now-disarmed Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which also took place on the Caribbean island.

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The ELN negotiations had previously taken place in Quito, Ecuador, however, Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno recently announced that he would be ending his country's role as mediator following violence along the country's border with Colombia.

The process is resuming just 20 days before Colombia's hotly contested presidential elections, in which candidate Ivan Duque, who represents the party of former president Alvaro Uribe is leading opinion polls. Duque and Uribe have repeatedly stated they are opposed to the government's negations with ELN and agreement with FARC, which has transitioned into a political party called the Revolutionary Alternative Forces of the Commons. 

Progressive presidential candidate Gustavo Petro, who is second in the polls, is a long-time advocate for peace with both groups. Other candidates including Sergio Fajardo, German Vargas Lleras, and Humberto De La Calle have also said they would respect the peace agreement with FARC and have urged for the continuation of the discussions with ELN.  Colombian Senator Ivan Cepeda has also emphasized that the next government must continue dialogues and the peace processes with the ELN and FARC.

ELN leaders have said that they are ready to move forward with peace and hope to renegotiate a ceasefire with the government of President Juan Manuel Santos.