Colombia: ELN Rebel Group Announces They Will Resume Kidnapping Operations After Peace Talks Break Down

The Colombian rebel group known as the ELN has announced that they are resuming their kidnap for ransom operations in the country, handing a major blow to President Gustavo Petro's "Total Peace" initiative.

The announcement came after peace talks between the rebel group, which often makes its money from drug production, extortion, and kidnap for ransom operations, and Petro's Colombian government broke down. The Colombian rebels previously agreed to halt their kidnapping operations back in December following a peace agreement that recently broke down.

The ELN claimed that the government failed to create a so-called "fund that would allow them to sustain their organization through third-party donations." It added in a statement that "To date, the Fund has not yet been established and the government shows little willingness to move forward in this area. Given the above, the ELN terminates its offer of unilateral suspension of economic withholdings."

However, the Petro administration rebutted, stating that it did create the "Multi Donor Fund." The government also denied that this was done in return for the rebel group suspending its kidnapping operations last December.

"It has always been made clear to the ELN that trade in human beings has no justification whatsoever and its end is not part of any transaction by the Colombian State," the government delegation said in a statement. "We hope that the ELN will keep its commitment to Colombian society and the international community and put an end to any form of kidnapping."

"The ELN has to take a serious decision in regards to the peace process," added the Colombian government's lead negotiator, Vera Grabe.

Pseudo-State by Another Rebel Group Also Complicating Peace Talks

As if Petro's problems with the ELN are enough, he is also dealing with another leftist rebel group, the EMC, which has recently put up a pseudo-state in the territory it controls, complete with schools and other services.

The rebel group recently built a school located in Southern Colombia. According to Reuters, it is seen as the rebels consolidating control of certain regions and gaining social support and territorial dominance. This complicates the peace situation as Petro tries to deal with them.

The EMC is a splinter group from the FARC made up of rebels who did not agree to the landmark 2016 peace deal that saw the infamous FARC disbanded. It is currently building clinics, roads, and bridges in its territory. Analysts are saying that this could give the rebels a stronger position at the negotiating table.

Armed Rebel Groups in Colombia Grew in Number, Says Report

Meanwhile, a new report has found that despite Petro trying to end the Colombian rebellions peacefully, all four of its main armed groups have increased in membership in 2023, according to Reuters.

The report showed that the National Liberation Army (ELN), drug cartel the Clan del Golfo, the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), and the Segunda Marquetalia, all increased in military capabilities.

It found that these groups amassed their military might as leverage at peace talks with the government, with the ELN recruiting over 300 members while the Clan del Golfo drug cartel expanded by 23% last year, growing to 4,999 members.

READ MORE: Pablo Escobar's Brother Tried Trademarking Late Colombian Drug Lord's Name, European Court Says No

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Written by: Rick Martin

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