The Presidents of Colombia and Venezuela, Gustavo Petro and Nicolás Maduro, meet in Caracas on January 7, 2022. OSCAR CARDONA GARCIA (COLOMBIAN PRESIDENTIAL)
Gustavo Petro and Nicolás Maduro agreed at their meeting this Saturday to continue the peace process with the ELN in Caracas and not in Mexico as planned, official sources have advanced to EL PAÍS. The lack of willingness shown by the government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador and the crisis that arose as a result of the misunderstanding between Petro and the guerrillas over the ceasefire prompted them to take this urgent decision.
The talks will continue on January 21st at the Humboldt Hotel and this time the cycle will not last 20 days but will be shorter. Some negotiators feel the place is a bit cold and difficult to access – you have to get to the facilities at the top of a hill, by cable car or in a 4×4 – but with the little time left to organize, it’s the best option. Also, the guerrilla leaders are more comfortable talking in a country where most of them live.
In those days of discussion, a bilateral ceasefire must be agreed. Petro, according to the negotiators themselves, hastily assumed on December 31 that it was closed, and the guerrillas denied this three days later. Danilo Rueda, the peace commissioner, believes the mistake did not jeopardize the process, but it was undoubtedly the first serious friction between the parties. Both the government and the ELN are ready to reach an agreement, but some are more in a hurry than others. Petro doesn’t want things to go on like this forever, that would jeopardize his entire mandate. In contrast, the guerrillas, founded 60 years ago, have a more contemplative view of life.
The first phase of negotiations ended on December 11th in Caracas. The relief was taken by Mexico. Negotiators from the Colombian government and the ELN would travel there in the third week of January. There was debate as to whether it should be held in Cancun, Mexico City or Puerto Vallarta. Mérida and Campeche were also taken into account. However, days passed and López Obrador seemed unenthusiastic about the idea, according to three sources consulted at the negotiations. The Mexican President focused more on his internal politics and on the meeting that Celac will hold on the same dates. The problem between Petro and the ELN finally convinced everyone that it would be best to continue negotiations in Caracas.
President of Colombia Gustavo Petro upon his arrival in the city of Caracas, Venezuela, on January 7, 2022. OSCAR CARDONA GARCIA (COLOMBIAN PRESIDENTIALITY)
Maduro has shown himself ready. The Venezuelan President has enthusiastically welcomed the process from day one with the ELN, which has many ties to Venezuela. Part of its structure has been established on the Venezuelan side of the border for years. In addition, in this way Maduro further improves his international image after three years of diplomatic isolation. Petro’s rise to power has provided him with a strategic partner, and his willingness to sit down to negotiate with the opposition in Mexico to agree on fair presidential elections in 2024 has brought him closer to countries he was previously far from , such as the United States, France and Spain.
Newsletter
Current affairs analysis and the best stories from Colombia, delivered to your inbox every week
GET THE
Petro had to organize the second cycle of dialogues as soon as possible, he can’t afford any more delays and that’s why he made a surprise trip to Caracas this weekend to meet Maduro. “Venezuela, as a guarantor country, will support the Colombian government in its goal of maintaining the bilateral attitude and total peace,” read the joint statement signed by the two presidents. This support consists in particular of re-hosting the dialogues, which now have to take place in less than two weeks. There’s no time to lose.
Subscribe here to the EL PAÍS newsletter on Colombia and receive all the latest information about the country.