Colombia’s second largest rebel group, the ELN, on Thursday claimed that a negotiator in peace talks with the government has mysteriously disappeared.
PROFILE: ELN
According to the guerrillas, rebel leader Eduardo Martinez has been missing for more than a week after being arrested by the Police.
On its website, the rebel group said that Martinez was traveling in the Norte de Santander department, between the cities of Ocaña and Cucuta to join a “Technical Commission” they say is part of the group’s delegation engaged in preliminary peace talks with the government.
The ELN claimed that the alleged negotiator disappeared after being detained at a police checkpoint at the entrance of Cucuta.
The rebels said it holds the government responsible for Martinez’ disappearance and the possible consequences of his allegedly mysterious detainment.
The ELN and the administration of President Juan Manuel Santos in June announced they were entering peace talks, similar to negotiations taking place with the FARC, Colombia’s largest rebel group.
The group, founded in 1964, has since complained the talks are proceeding slowly.
Sources
- ELN denuncia desaparición de interlocutor en diálogos exploratorios de paz (El Espectador)
- Comunicado Público (ELN)