Armed conflict

Report: Colombia's ELN 'Willing to Seek Peace' With Next President

Is the ELN commited to democracy or a proven bad-faith actor?

JUN 16·Updated JUN 18

Report: Colombia's ELN 'Willing to Seek Peace' With Next President

Story

Above: ELN rebels stand guard at Catatumbo region in Colombia on March 8, 2025. Image credit: Raul Arboleda/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing a front commander of Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN), that rebels are willing to seek peace with whoever wins the presidential runoff on Sunday, though they are confident they can survive a renewed military offensive.
Reuters
This comes as the main active guerrilla group in Colombia announced on Monday a three-day unilateral ceasefire starting on Friday to coincide with the runoff election, following an explosive attack against a military base in Norte de Santander on the weekend.
EFE Noticias
Ejército de Liberación Nacional
The Associated Press
El Colombiano
On Tuesday, the ELN released two police officers who had been in its custody for more than a year. At least two prosecutors' office officials remain in custody, with the guerrilla expressing openness to what was characterized as a humanitarian prisoner swap.
Demócrata
Semana
The Associated Press
Meanwhile, the Gaitanista Army of Colombia (EGC), also known as the Gulf Clan, reasserted its commitment to the 2025 Doha Agreements, promising to maintain neutrality and respect for the electoral process. Both the ELN and the EGC took similar measures ahead of the first round on May 31.
EFE Noticias
El Espectador
This comes as millions of Colombians are expected to head to the polls to choose between right-wing political novice Abelardo de la Espriella and leftist Sen. Iván Cepeda. De la Espriella won the first round, about 44% to 41%, and polls show him leading the runoff, about 52% to 45%.
Breitbart
Colombia One
La Silla Vacía
Ahead of the election day, Cepeda accused de la Espriella of corruption in connection with his law firm's 2018 contract with the now-defunct health insurer Salud Vida, announcing that he would file a criminal complaint against his rival.
BluRadio Colombia
teleSUR English

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

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 its commitment to democracy and peace. Colombia belongs to its own working people, and that means that Colombians must be free to decide their own political future.

Ejército de Liberación Nacional

Narrative B

The ELN is a criminal group whose words are not worth the breath spent on them or the paper on which they are written. Regardless of what they've said, Colombians must stay vigilant, and the government must treat the rebel group with the seriousness it deserves.