Colombia suspends peace talks with ELN rebels after deadly attack

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The Colombian government has suspended peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) following an attack on a military base in Arauca province near the Venezuelan border. The attack, which involved explosives detonated from a truck, left two soldiers dead and over two dozen injured. The government has attributed the assault to the ELN.

On Wednesday, government negotiators stated that the peace process is now on hold, citing the need for the ELN to make an unequivocal demonstration of peace for talks to continue. President Gustavo Petro's administration had been pursuing a "total peace" policy aimed at ending the country's decades-long internal conflict involving the ELN.

The ELN had increased its attacks on military targets after deciding not to renew a ceasefire in place since 2023. The suspension of talks could lead to the reissue of arrest warrants for the ELN's top commanders, who are believed to be based in Venezuela and Cuba.