Armed conflict

Colombia's ELN Declares Ceasefire Ahead of Presidential Runoff

Is this unilateral ceasefire a genuine commitment to democracy or an empty promise from a proven bad-faith actor?

Published 2 hours ago

Colombia's ELN Declares Ceasefire Ahead of Presidential Runoff

Story

Above: Members of the ELN stand at a camp in the Choco jungle on May 23, 2019. Image credit: Raul Arboleda/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

The ELN is putting its money where its mouth is by declaring a unilateral ceasefire ahead of the runoff, making clear that Colombians alone should decide their political future free from outside interference. This is a genuine commitment to protecting the vote. Colombia belongs to its workers, and that means letting the democratic process play out without armed disruption.

Ejército de Liberación Nacional

Narrative B

This unilateral ceasefire isn't worth the paper it's printed on. The ELN is a criminal group with a long record of breaking ceasefires, killing Colombian citizens and spreading terror across the country. Regardless of what they've said, the nation must stay vigilant, and the government must treat the rebel group with the seriousness it deserves.

The Bogotá Post