Pablo Beltran, top negotiator of the National Liberation Army, speaks in the fifth round of peace talks between the National Liberation Army and the Colombian government in Havana, Cuba, May 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez)
Colombia's high commissioner for peace, Miguel Ceballos, told the Caracol news network that the rebel group needs to agree to the government's conditions for the talks to take place.
BOGOTA, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Colombia's government is willing to resume peace talks with the country's National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group, an official said on Wednesday.
Colombia's high commissioner for peace, Miguel Ceballos, told the Caracol news network that the rebel group needs to agree to the government's conditions for the talks to take place.
Those conditions are suspending all fighting in Colombia and releasing kidnapped victims.
"On the part of civil society, we request that the ELN comply with the conditions established by President Ivan Duque," said Ceballos, adding the conditions were "valid."
The ELN is alleged to have recently set fire to several cargo vehicles that were heading to the coast in the region of Bajo Cauca, in northwest Antioquia department (state).
"That is not the response the Colombian people are expecting ... the ELN should seriously consider turning the page on violence," said Ceballos.
In January, Duque suspended peace talks with the ELN, which took place in Havana, Cuba, following a car bomb attack at the General Santander Police Cadet School which left 21 dead and 68 injured. ■
