ELN suspende acciones armadas en Navidad; Defensoría reclama más gestos
El Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) confirmó este domingo que suspenderá sus acciones militares ofensivas contra la Fuerza Pública durante las festividades de Navidad y Año Nuevo mediante un cese al fuego unilateral que generó una reacción inmediata de la Defensoría del Pueblo al calificar el anuncio como un alivio necesario pero insuficiente si no se detienen las hostilidades contra la población civil y se liberan a los secuestrados.
TL;DR
- The ELN announced a unilateral ceasefire of offensive military actions against the Public Force from December 24, 2025, to January 3, 2026.
- The ELN stated the purpose of the ceasefire is to send a message of tranquility to the Colombian people during the holidays.
- The Ombudsman's Office acknowledged the announcement as a necessary relief but deemed it insufficient without a halt to hostilities against civilians and the release of hostages.
- The ELN denied targeting the civilian population and blamed intelligence agencies and media for false narratives.
- The Ombudsman's Office demanded concrete evidence of the ELN's will for peace, including the unconditional release of all kidnapped individuals.
- The Ombudsman's Office also called for the ceasefire to extend to confrontations with other illegal armed groups, as crossfire causes displacement.
- The Ombudsman's Office expressed skepticism due to a similar ceasefire last year, which was followed by intensified attacks on the population in January, leading to mass displacement in Catatumbo.
- The Ombudsman's Office concluded that more commitments are needed beyond a temporary ten-day truce for lasting peace.