In a press conference they explained that the talks, which meet in cycles and are held in other countries (Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico) will be permanent and, although the rounds of dialogue will continue in the countries that guarantee , also has a place here.
“For the peace dialogue table, this is an important reason to be able to have this meeting, minutes before the plenary session of the dialogue table will meet in Bogotá for the first time,” said Beltrán.
The main negotiator of the ELN, Pablo Beltrán, explained that they do the pedagogy in the regions with guerrilla fields and that, although the idea is to start holding permanent meetings and not only during the cycles, he considers that the process is not at a sufficiently mature point to make all the meetings in Colombia.
“What does that mean? It means security risks, political risks, it has to be squared with infrastructure and logistics. The operating model of this table is to make the cycles of the countries guarantees,” said Beltrán, who acknowledged the progress in this area.
For his part, Otty Patiño considers that the process is progressing to develop it in Colombia and this is shown – he said – by Pablo Beltrán’s own stay in Bogotá and the visit to the territories.
The two heads of delegations explained to the press at the headquarters of the UN Verification Mission how they work in “critical areas” where they want to bring humanitarian relief so that the population can trust.
In these areas of “humanitarian relief” the goal is to “respond to the complaints of the population about the humanitarian crisis and ensure that the ceasefire brings the relief promised,” said Beltrán.
For his part, Patiño emphasized that this is not about ending the war, but ending the armed conflict.
Next November the fifth cycle of dialogues between the Government and the ELN will begin in Mexico where negotiations will progress.
On August 3, as a result of these talks, the parties started a bilateral, temporary and national ceasefire for 180 days with the possibility of being extended.
In addition, they reached agreements on humanitarian relief, and on citizen participation.
