Although the dialogue phases will continue in the guarantor countries, there will also be space in Colombia
The two heads of delegation explained to the press at the headquarters of the UN verification mission how work is being done in the “critical areas”. (Photo: PL)
The heads of the delegations of the Colombian Government and the National Liberation Army (ELN), Otty Patiño and Pablo Beltrán, announced this Tuesday that the peace dialogue will be permanent and that plenary sessions will take place in the country.
At a press conference they explained that the talks, which take place in cycles and have taken place in other countries (Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico), will now be permanent and that although the phases of dialogue will continue in the guarantor countries, there will also be space in Colombia.
“It is a very important reason for the Peace Dialogue Table to be able to hold this meeting a few minutes before the first plenary session of the Dialogue Table in Bogotá,” said Beltrán.
The ELN’s chief negotiator, Pablo Beltrán, explained that they have been doing pedagogy in the regions with the guerrilla fronts and that although the idea is to hold constant meetings and not just during cycles, he considers that the process is not yet complete has been completed to a sufficiently mature point to hold all meetings in Colombia.
“What does this mean? This brings security risks, political risks that must be balanced with infrastructure and logistics. “The operating model of this table has been to carry out cycles in the countries that are guarantors,” said Beltrán, who made progress in recognized in this regard.
For his part, Otty Patiño considered that the process was so advanced that it could be further developed in Colombia and this, he said, was demonstrated by Pablo Beltrán’s own stay in Bogotá and visit to the territories.
The two heads of delegation explained to the press at the headquarters of the UN verification mission how they work in the “critical areas” where they want to provide humanitarian assistance so that the population can be reassured.
These areas of “humanitarian assistance” are about “addressing the population’s complaints about the humanitarian crisis and ensuring that the ceasefire delivers the promised assistance,” said Beltrán.
For his part, Patiño emphasized that the aim is not to humanize the war, but to end the armed conflict.
Next November, the fifth cycle of dialogue between the government and the ELN will begin in Mexico, where negotiations will progress.
As a result of these talks, on August 3, the parties began a bilateral, temporary and national ceasefire of 180 days, with the possibility of an extension.
They also agreed on humanitarian aid and citizen participation.
