Colombia asks Cuba to arrest ELN negotiators for car bombing
5 years, 11 months ago

Colombia asks Cuba to arrest ELN negotiators for car bombing

Associated Press  

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian President Ivan Duque on Friday demanded Cuba arrest 10 peace negotiators from the National Liberation Army after his government blamed the leftist group for a car bombing against a police academy that left 21 dead and dozens more wounded. In a televised address, the conservative leader said he had revoked a decree suspending arrest orders against leaders of Colombia’s last remaining rebel group, known as the ELN for its Spanish initials, who have been living on the communist-run island amid fading hopes that peace talks would resume. “It’s clear to all of Colombia that the ELN has no true desire for peace,” Duque said, citing a long list of 400 terrorist attacks attributed to the guerrillas since peace talks began in 2017. “Systematic deception and irrational violence have been the constant in three decades of failed talks with the ELN,” said Duque, who earlier in the day fielded phone calls of support from several foreign leaders as well as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

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History of this topic

A motorcycle loaded with explosives detonated in Colombia killing 1 and injuring 14
1 month ago

A motorcycle loaded with explosives detonated in Colombia killing 1 and injuring 14

Associated Press  

BOGOTA, Colombia — A motorcycle loaded with explosives detonated at a police checkpoint in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, killing the driver and injuring 14 others, authorities said. Officers had been conducting inspections in the community of Las Penas in the Jamundi municipality to prevent possible violence by illegal armed groups, commander of the Cali Metropolitan Police Col. Carlos Oviedo told …

Colombia suspends peace talks with ELN rebel group after a deadly attack on the military
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Colombia suspends peace talks with ELN rebel group after a deadly attack on the military

Associated Press  

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia on Wednesday suspended peace talks with the National Liberation Army, or ELN, after blaming the rebel group for an attack that killed two soldiers and injured more than 20. “Its viability is severely damaged, and its continuity can only be recovered with an unequivocal manifestation of the ELN’s will for peace.” This is the deepest crisis …

FARC ceasefire boosts Colombia's peace push
5 months, 4 weeks ago

FARC ceasefire boosts Colombia's peace push

China Daily  

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro speaks during the appointment ceremony of the new Commander in Chief of the Colombian Military Forces, Admiral Francisco Cubides, at the Jose Maria Cordova Military Cadet School in Bogota, Colombia July 9, 2024. In another step forward to realizing Colombian President Gustavo Petro's plan for "total peace," Segunda Marquetalia, one of the country's main rebel groups, …

Violence intensifies in southwest Colombia as FARC holdout group attacks police and military
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Violence intensifies in southwest Colombia as FARC holdout group attacks police and military

Hindustan Times  

BOGOTA, Colombia — Violence intensified in southwestern Colombia on Monday when a bomb blast injured six people in the city of Jamundi and an attack by insurgents on a police station in the rural town of Morales left at least two officers dead, according to police. Violence intensifies in southwest Colombia as FARC holdout group attacks police and military Colombia’s …

Colombian govt, guerrilla group resume talks to get peace process back on track
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Colombian govt, guerrilla group resume talks to get peace process back on track

China Daily  

By JIMENA ESTEBAN in Buenos Aires, Argentina | China Daily | Updated: 2024-04-23 09:49 With peace talks between the government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army, or ELN, guerrilla group at an impasse, negotiators have launched an extraordinary session of negotiations to get the peace process back on track. The current round of talks in Caracas was set to …

Colombia suspends ceasefire with faction of ex-FARC rebels following attack on Indigenous community
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Colombia suspends ceasefire with faction of ex-FARC rebels following attack on Indigenous community

Associated Press  

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Sunday suspended a ceasefire with one of a handful of armed groups with which he hoped to negotiate peace accords, saying its fighters violated the truce by attacking an Indigenous community. Indigenous leaders in the war-torn western region of Cauca said an attack by the dissident group Saturday wounded at least three …

1 soldier killed and 12 injured in attack in Colombia blamed on drug cartel
1 year ago

1 soldier killed and 12 injured in attack in Colombia blamed on drug cartel

Associated Press  

BUCARAMANGA, Colombia — One soldier was killed and 12 were injured Wednesday in an attack with explosives on a military unit in western Colombia that the army blamed on the notorious Gulf Clan drug cartel. The ministry attributed the attack to a faction of the Gulf Clan, considered by authorities to be the country’s largest active drug cartel. The governor …

Colombia issues long-awaited apology for 19 extrajudicial killings during civil war
1 year, 3 months ago

Colombia issues long-awaited apology for 19 extrajudicial killings during civil war

LA Times  

Colombian Defense Minister Iván Velásquez stands with the relatives of 19 people who were falsely and fatally presented as guerrillas during the nation’s civil war. The apology comes as Colombia’s government attempts to make amends with communities affected by decades of armed conflict and broker peace deals with rebel groups that are still fighting the military in rural areas despite …

President Gustavo Petro's plan for 'total peace' in Colombia: Takeaways from AP's report
1 year, 3 months ago

President Gustavo Petro's plan for 'total peace' in Colombia: Takeaways from AP's report

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. As conflict in the country …

Colombia begins a six-month cease-fire with its last remaining rebel group in hopes of forging peace
1 year, 5 months ago

Colombia begins a six-month cease-fire with its last remaining rebel group in hopes of forging peace

Associated Press  

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia and the National Liberation Army, or ELN, formally began a six-month cease-fire Thursday as part of a process to forge a permanent peace between the government and the country’s last remaining rebel group. Petro appealed to the guerrilla leaders to leave behind deadly violence, saying that “everyone who really wants to transform this society, in today’s …

Colombian rebel group says it will stop attacks on military
1 year, 6 months ago

Colombian rebel group says it will stop attacks on military

Associated Press  

BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia’s largest rebel group said it will stop attacks on the nation’s military as it prepares for a ceasefire with the government that could bring both sides closer to ending five decades of war. In a statement published Tuesday, the National Liberation Army’s Central Command ordered its units across the country to “cease all offensive actions” against …

Colombia government, largest remaining rebel group agree to 6-month cease-fire
1 year, 7 months ago

Colombia government, largest remaining rebel group agree to 6-month cease-fire

Associated Press  

HAVANA, Cuba — Colombia’s government and its largest remaining guerrilla group agreed Friday to a six-month cease-fire at talks in Cuba, in the latest attempt to resolve a conflict dating back to the 1960s. The government and the National Liberation Army, or ELN, announced the accord at a ceremony in Havana attended by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, top guerrilla commander …

Colombian government, rebels resume talks in Cuba
1 year, 8 months ago

Colombian government, rebels resume talks in Cuba

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Representatives …

Calls for ceasefire at start of latest Colombia-ELN peace talks
1 year, 8 months ago

Calls for ceasefire at start of latest Colombia-ELN peace talks

Al Jazeera  

Peace talks between the rebel group and the Colombian government have entered their third round of negotiations in Cuba. Colombia’s government and the left-wing National Liberation Army rebel group have begun their latest round of peace talks, with both sides saying they hope to reach a ceasefire agreement. Speaking on Tuesday from Madrid, Spain, Colombian President Gustavo Petro — a …

Colombia’s FARC rebel faction ready for ‘peace talks’
1 year, 8 months ago

Colombia’s FARC rebel faction ready for ‘peace talks’

Al Jazeera  

The Estado Mayor Central armed group, a FARC breakaway organisation, says it is ready to engage in peace talks with the government on May 16. An armed faction of Colombia’s disbanded FARC rebels has said they are ready to engage in peace talks with the government next month in what could mark a turning point for leftist President Gustavo Petro’s …

Militants kill 9 soldiers in attack on Colombia’s military
1 year, 9 months ago

Militants kill 9 soldiers in attack on Colombia’s military

Associated Press  

BOGOTA, Colombia — Militants in Colombia killed nine soldiers and wounded nine others in an attack early Wednesday on a military unit securing a northern pipeline, officials said, complicating efforts by the country’s new leftist president to negotiate a lasting peace. In addition to the attack, Patiño said, the ELN has been increasing harassing civilians in the departments of Cauca, …

Colombian rebels kill nine soldiers in blow to peace talks
1 year, 9 months ago

Colombian rebels kill nine soldiers in blow to peace talks

Al Jazeera  

Preliminary military assessment has identified the left-wing ELN as responsible for the attack in a northern province. An attack by the Colombian rebel group known as the National Liberation Army has allegedly killed nine government soldiers, in a blow to the government’s efforts to negotiate a truce with armed groups and curb violence in the country. Colombia’s internal conflict stretches …

Colombia, ELN rebels hail progress in second round of peace talks
1 year, 10 months ago

Colombia, ELN rebels hail progress in second round of peace talks

Al Jazeera  

ELN official says two sides took ‘first steps’ towards a temporary ceasefire as negotiations in Mexico City conclude. Colombia’s government and the left-wing National Liberation Army rebel group have hailed progress in their efforts to end decades of armed conflict in the South American nation, as a second round of peace talks concluded in Mexico City. “We took the first …

Colombian government, rebels resume peace talks in Mexico
1 year, 10 months ago

Colombian government, rebels resume peace talks in Mexico

Associated Press  

MEXICO CITY — Colombia’s government and its largest remaining rebel group met in Mexico City on Monday to resume peace talks aimed at resolving a conflict dating back to the 1960s. not temporary truces.” Pablo Beltrán, the rebels’ chief negotiator, said the talks were aimed at a “temporary, nationwide cease-fire” and that any agreement should include “an alternative anti-drug policy …

Colombian police seize weapons in ‘important blow’ to armed group
1 year, 11 months ago

Colombian police seize weapons in ‘important blow’ to armed group

Al Jazeera  

Colombia’s national police force has said it confiscated an arsenal of weapons, including grenades and a machine gun, belonging to dissidents from the now-disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebel group. Though the Estado Mayor Central dissidents rejected a 2016 peace deal between Bogota and the FARC, they had agreed to a recent ceasefire with the government of left-wing President …

Colombia backtracks on ceasefire announcement with ELN rebels
2 years ago

Colombia backtracks on ceasefire announcement with ELN rebels

Al Jazeera  

Government’s about-face comes after left-wing rebels said they had not discussed a truce with Bogota. The Colombian government has backtracked on an announcement that it had reached a ceasefire with one of the country’s largest remaining armed groups, a day after National Liberation Army rebels said they were not part of any such deal. But the ELN, which last month …

Fighting between armed groups leaves 18 dead in Colombia
2 years, 1 month ago

Fighting between armed groups leaves 18 dead in Colombia

Al Jazeera  

Deadly fighting in southwest Colombia comes ahead of peace talks between National Liberation Army rebels and Gustavo Petro’s government. The fighting involved rebel dissidents who rejected a 2016 peace agreement between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the government, and a criminal band that calls itself “Comandos de la Frontera” or “Border Commandos”. Negotiators from Petro’s government will resume …

Colombia and ELN rebels to restart peace talks
2 years, 3 months ago

Colombia and ELN rebels to restart peace talks

Associated Press  

BOGOTA, Colombia — Delegates of Colombia’s government and the nation’s largest remaining guerrilla group met on Tuesday and announced that they will restart peace talks that were suspended in 2018. Following a 2016 peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the ELN became the nation’s largest remaining guerrilla group. Colombia’s recently elected President Gustavo …

Colombia and ELN rebels agree to restart peace talks
2 years, 3 months ago

Colombia and ELN rebels agree to restart peace talks

Al Jazeera  

Officials say Norway, Venezuela and Cuba would be “guarantor states” and civil society groups would be “essential”. Delegations of Colombia’s government and the ELN will restart negotiations after the first week of November, the parties said in a statement on Tuesday signed by ELN commanders Antonio Garcia and Pablo Beltran as well as the country’s high commissioner for peace, Danilo …

Colombian rebels free 5 soldiers, 1 policeman ahead of talks
2 years, 4 months ago

Colombian rebels free 5 soldiers, 1 policeman ahead of talks

Associated Press  

HAVANA — A Colombian guerrilla group says it has freed six captive members of the security forces in a goodwill gesture ahead of planned peace talks with the government of new President Gustavo Petro. The release of the six men was a “unilateral humanitarian gesture″ that recognized efforts by the Colombian government to facilitate the resumption of dialogue, said the …

Colombia and ELN rebels begin moving to restart peace talks
2 years, 4 months ago

Colombia and ELN rebels begin moving to restart peace talks

Associated Press  

HAVANA — Colombia’s new government and members of the nation’s last guerrilla group took steps Friday toward restarting peace talks that were suspended three years ago in Cuba. After a meeting between representatives of both sides in Havana, Colombia’s national peace commissioner, Danilo Rueda, said the government would take the necessary “judicial and political steps” to make peace talks possible …

What next after Colombia’s FARC removed from US ‘terrorist’ list?
3 years, 1 month ago

What next after Colombia’s FARC removed from US ‘terrorist’ list?

Al Jazeera  

The Colombian rebel group’s delisting is an important step, experts say, but challenges to the country’s fragile peace remain. Bogota, Colombia – The United States’ delisting of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebel group as a “foreign terrorist” organisation this week has been welcomed as an important – albeit delayed – step. “This decision is very important and …

Colombia’s ELN rebels warn of ‘reprisals’ after commander killed
3 years, 3 months ago

Colombia’s ELN rebels warn of ‘reprisals’ after commander killed

Al Jazeera  

Experts say a rise in attacks likely after the top commander of the leftist ELN armed group died after Colombia military bombing. Bogota, Colombia – Colombia’s largest remaining armed group has warned of “reprisals” after a government bombing killed one of its top commanders this week, prompting experts to predict a rise in attacks. Bogota dubbed the killing one of …

Top ELN rebel commander dies after bombing, Colombia gov’t says
3 years, 3 months ago

Top ELN rebel commander dies after bombing, Colombia gov’t says

Al Jazeera  

ELN leader Angel Padilla Romero, known by alias Fabian, died in hospital after a military bombing, defence minister says. Angel Padilla Romero, known by his alias Fabian, headed the ELN’s Western Front and died in a hospital in Cali, the country’s third-largest city, Defence Minister Diego Molano told reporters on Tuesday. “We have made the hardest hit against the ELN …

Colombian authorities say ex-FARC behind recent Duque attack
3 years, 5 months ago

Colombian authorities say ex-FARC behind recent Duque attack

Al Jazeera  

Authorities say they arrested 10 former Colombian FARC rebels based in Venezuela responsible for two attacks last month. Colombia has arrested 10 people accused of involvement in attacks on a helicopter carrying President Ivan Duque and a military base last month that officials said on Thursday were planned by former FARC rebel leaders based in Venezuela. Molano said the attacks …

Colombia: Nine dead in separate attacks amid escalating violence
3 years, 6 months ago

Colombia: Nine dead in separate attacks amid escalating violence

Al Jazeera  

Three separate attacks come after helicopter carrying President Ivan Duque was fired at near border with Venezuela on Friday. At least nine people, including four police officers, have died in three separate attacks across Colombia, which has seen a recent surge in violence and instability in several parts of the country. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for …

Colombia investigating after car bomb injures 36 at military base
3 years, 6 months ago

Colombia investigating after car bomb injures 36 at military base

Al Jazeera  

The defence ministry says two men drove a Toyota truck onto a military base in the city of Cucuta, near the border with Venezuela. The Colombian government is investigating after car bomb explosions at a military base near the country’s border with Venezuela injured 36 people. “We reject and repudiate this vile and terrorist act which sought to attack the …

‘Humanitarian time bomb’: 4,700 Venezuelans flee to Colombia
3 years, 9 months ago

‘Humanitarian time bomb’: 4,700 Venezuelans flee to Colombia

Al Jazeera  

Some accuse Venezuelan army of using excessive force in operation against armed groups near Colombia-Venezuela border. About 4,700 Venezuelans have been displaced to neighbouring Colombia during the past week, according to Colombian government figures, after the Venezuelan military launched an operation against armed groups near the border. The Venezuelan military launched an operation last weekend against fighters belonging to what …

Colombia accuses FARC dissidents of car bomb that injured dozens
3 years, 9 months ago

Colombia accuses FARC dissidents of car bomb that injured dozens

Al Jazeera  

Bombing in Corinto on Friday injured 43 people, including several public officials, defence minister says. The government of Colombia has accused dissidents of the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia of detonating a car bomb on Friday that injured dozens of people including several public officials. Defence Minister Diego Molano said early on Saturday that 43 people were injured in …

Venezuela says six members of ‘armed groups’ killed near Colombia
3 years, 9 months ago

Venezuela says six members of ‘armed groups’ killed near Colombia

Al Jazeera  

Thousands are displaced after Venezuela military launched operation against ‘armed groups’ near Colombian border. Venezuela’s defence ministry has said six fighters belonging to “irregular Colombian armed groups” have been killed in a military operation near the Venezuela-Colombia border, which has displaced thousands of civilians since last Sunday. In a statement on Saturday, the department said 39 additional fighters were taken …

Colombia military operation kills 10 FARC dissidents
3 years, 10 months ago

Colombia military operation kills 10 FARC dissidents

Al Jazeera  

Colombian army bombs a base housing dissidents from the former FARC rebel group in Calamar, southeast Colombia. Bombing by the Colombian military has killed 10 and injured three at a base used by dissidents from the former FARC armed group in southeast Colombia, according to the minister. Defence Minister Diego Molano said on Twitter on Tuesday the military action had …

Killings of Colombia ex-FARC fighters persist amid peace process
3 years, 11 months ago

Killings of Colombia ex-FARC fighters persist amid peace process

Al Jazeera  

Since FARC fighters disarmed in 2017 as part of the peace deal, a total of 253 have been killed, including four already in 2021. The current right-wing government of President Ivan Duque Marquez – which came to power in 2018 – has unsuccessfully fought to change the peace deal’s lenient punishments for former FARC fighters. “They’ve killed four already this …

Colombia president, ex-rebels meet to curb ongoing violence
4 years, 2 months ago

Colombia president, ex-rebels meet to curb ongoing violence

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Colombian President Iván Duque’s government and former guerrillas who signed …

UN envoy says ex-FARC fighters in Colombia being killed
4 years, 2 months ago

UN envoy says ex-FARC fighters in Colombia being killed

Al Jazeera  

At least 19 former combatants from the leftist group, which signed a peace deal in 2016, have been killed in past three months, UN says. Ruiz Massieu told the Security Council that the FARC’s laying down of arms and its transition into a political party has been completed and is “irreversible.” But he said the reintegration of FARC members into …

Amnesty: Killing of Colombia activists result of failed policies
4 years, 3 months ago

Amnesty: Killing of Colombia activists result of failed policies

Al Jazeera  

Rights group warns situation for rights defenders has worsened since 2016 peace deal between the government and FARC. “For years, Colombia has been one of the world’s most dangerous countries for people who are defending human rights, territory, and natural resources,” Amnesty’s Americas Director Erika Guevara-Rosas said in a statement. “The range of protective measures is so extensive and so …

Colombia protests: What prompted them and where are they headed?
5 years, 1 month ago

Colombia protests: What prompted them and where are they headed?

Al Jazeera  

Discontent over inequality, education, Duque’s slow implementation of the 2016 peace deal has been simmering for months. Protester Jonathan Ramirez said: “Colombia is tired of injustice, bad governance and social inequality.” The 34-year-old told Al Jazeera: “Colombia is our life, our home and we’re ruining it”. Duque has so far offered to hold a “national dialogue” with “all social sectors” …

Venezuela on alert as Maduro alleges Colombian plot to attack
5 years, 4 months ago

Venezuela on alert as Maduro alleges Colombian plot to attack

Al Jazeera  

Feud between the two Latin American neighbours escalates after Bogota accused Caracas of harbouring FARC rebels. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has put the military on alert ahead of exercises along the border with Colombia, accusing the neighbouring nation’s president of plotting an attack as tensions mounted between the two South American countries. “Colombia’s government doesn’t want peace,” Maduro told a …

Venezuelans vow to continue protests as clashes turn deadly
5 years, 10 months ago

Venezuelans vow to continue protests as clashes turn deadly

Al Jazeera  

At least two killed in violent protests as President Maduro severs diplomatic ties with Colombia over Guaido support. Cucuta, Colombia – Violent clashes broke out in Venezuelan border towns killing at least two people, as President Nicolas Maduro blocked aid convoys from entering the country. Troops loyal to Maduro fired tear gas and rounds of rubber bullets on Saturday at …

Colombia’s ELN rebels claim deadly police academy attack
5 years, 11 months ago

Colombia’s ELN rebels claim deadly police academy attack

Al Jazeera  

National Liberation Army said suicide bombing was a reprisal after authorities failed to respect a unilateral ceasefire. The National Liberation Army said Thursday’s vehicle bombing was a reprisal attack after the government of President Ivan Duque failed to respect a unilateral ceasefire declared by the rebels over Christmas. “The operation carried out against these installations and troops is lawful within …

Car bomb attack at Colombia police cadet training academy leaves 21 dead; government declares three days of mourning
5 years, 11 months ago

Car bomb attack at Colombia police cadet training academy leaves 21 dead; government declares three days of mourning

Firstpost  

The bomber – who authorities confirmed was killed in the attack – struck at Colombia’s General Francisco de Paula Santander Officer’s School in the south of Bogota during a promotion ceremony for cadets Bogota: Colombia’s government declared three days of mourning on Thursday after at least 21 people died in a car bomb at a Bogota police cadet training academy, …

Colombia’s ELN to blame for bomb attack that killed 21: Officials
5 years, 11 months ago

Colombia’s ELN to blame for bomb attack that killed 21: Officials

Al Jazeera  

Defence minister says ELN explosives expert Jose Rojas detonated his vehicle at a Bogota police academy on Thursday. Colombia’s ELN rebel group was responsible for the car bomb attack against a police academy that killed at least 21 and injured dozens, the government said on Friday, making it unlikely that peace talks with the armed group can restart any time …

Colombia condemns ‘plot’ to kill president, arrests Venezuelans
6 years ago

Colombia condemns ‘plot’ to kill president, arrests Venezuelans

Al Jazeera  

Minister says ‘internal and external actors’ were responsible for threats to President Ivan Duque’s life. Colombia’s foreign minister condemned an alleged plot to kill President Ivan Duque on Saturday and said three Venezuelan citizens had been arrested in possession of weapons. “With immense concern and the utmost condemnation, I want to inform the international community that, in effect, for several …

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