Colombia president says government ready for peace talks with ELN

The two sides reached this partial agreement in Havana on rural development, the first issue on a five-point agenda, and are now negotiating terms of how the rebels will be incorporated into the political system. 

They also will seek agreement on the drug trade, reparation of victims and an end to the conflict. Last week the government declared intentions to begin talks with the guerrillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN) “albeit in a different place to Havana”, as Mr Garzon explained to the public, confirming that both tables of talks will be held separately. 

The negotiations have been made possible thanks to the Legal Framework for Peace which was approved in Congress last year and that modified the constitution laying the foundation for punishment of war crimes, reparations for victims and eventual peace with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. 

As the Vice President sums up, “peace will suit the Colombian people and it suits all countries in the region being the most important geo-political event we may live in the region.”