HomeNewsBriefELN Negotiator Talks Peace Progress, New Underworld Conflicts
BRIEF

ELN Negotiator Talks Peace Progress, New Underworld Conflicts

COLOMBIA / 18 APR 2017 BY JAMES BARGENT EN

One of the chief negotiators of Colombia's largest remaining guerrilla group, the ELN, has spoken out on the rebels' peace process and their place in the rapidly evolving Colombian underworld. However, the picture he paints bears little resemblance to the realities of a group that is now playing a pivotal role in shaping Colombian organized crime dynamics.

In an interview with Verdad Abierta, Carlos Reyes described the latest developments in peace talks in Quito, Ecuador between the Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (Ejército de Liberación Nacional – ELN).

According to Reyes, negotiators have now established two sub-working groups that are discussing the participation of civil society in the peace process and humanitarian actions.

Reyes insisted there was a unified backing of the peace process among the guerrillas and denied claims that the ELN's Central Command is struggling to maintain control over the guerrilla fronts scattered around the country. However, he ruled out the possibility of the ELN declaring a unilateral ceasefire to de-escalate the conflict.

"The ceasefire must be bilateral, agreed on, verified and respected by both parties," he said.

Reyes denied the ELN are co-opting spaces left by the demobilizing Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia – FARC). But at the same time, he repeated the statement made by ELN leader Pablo Beltrán that the guerrillas "will go where we are called."

In relation to the conflict hotspot of the western department of Chocó, where the ELN are involved in a long-running conflict with the neo-paramilitary group the Urabeños, Reyes claimed the ELN's interest in the region was not related to control of drugs, illegal mining and smuggling corridors but with organizing communities to address issues such as corruption, poverty and state neglect.

Reyes also accused the state of colluding with the Urabeños in Chocó, pointing to the unimpeded movement of large groups of Urabeños fighters in the region as evidence.

"This paramilitary group has support, intelligence and coordination with the military," he said.

InSight Crime Analysis

Reyes comments present the face of the ELN that the guerrillas would like to show to the world: that of a revolutionary force working for the benefit and with the support of neglected and poverty ridden regions, confronting state corruption, paramilitarism and exploitative businesses that is now preparing for peace. However, while there may be some truth to many of his comments, the reality on the ground is very different.

SEE ALSO: ELN Profile

With the departure of the FARC, who are currently assembled in demobilization camps around the country, the ELN have found themselves presented with a golden opportunity to increase their influence and wealth even as they talk peace in Quito. And contrary to Reyes' comments, there is strong evidence that they are taking advantage by seeking to fill the vacuum left by the FARC in regions with lucrative criminal economies or geographical strategic importance.

The example discussed by Reyes -- Chocó -- stands as a stark warning to how this situation could fuel new cycles of underworld conflicts as the Colombian underworld adapts to the departure of the FARC. If peace talks with the ELN do not progress rapidly, then further such conflicts could erupt as the ELN looks to boost its finances and territorial influence, either to strengthen their negotiating hand or to wage further war.

share icon icon icon

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

What are your thoughts? Click here to send InSight Crime your comments.

We encourage readers to copy and distribute our work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution to InSight Crime in the byline and links to the original at both the top and bottom of the article. Check the Creative Commons website for more details of how to share our work, and please send us an email if you use an article.

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

Related Content

COCA / 21 JUN 2022

A controversial bill proposing the legalization of the coca leaf and coca derivatives, including cocaine, has gained traction in Colombia.

COLOMBIA / 10 MAY 2023

Roldán was found shot dead on May 6 near the town of Fredonia in the Colombian department of Antioquia, Ecuador’s…

COLOMBIA / 29 OCT 2021

series of attacks on oil pipelines in Colombia's northeastern department of Santander, for which the ELN has claimed responsibility, could…

About InSight Crime

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report continues to be a reference in the region

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Paraguay Election Coverage Draws Attention 

5 MAY 2023

InSight Crime looked at the various anti-organized crime policies proposed by the candidates in Paraguay’s presidential election, which was won on April 30 by Santiago Peña. Our pre-election coverage was cited…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime Cited in OAS, CARICOM Reports

28 APR 2023

This week, InSight Crime’s work was cited nine times in a new report by the Organization of American States (OAS) titled “The Impact of Organized Crime on Women,…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime Staff Cited as Experts by International Media

21 APR 2023

This week, InSight Crime deputy editor, Juan Diego Posada, was interviewed by the Associated Press about connections between the ex-FARC mafia and Brazilian criminal groups, and…