Colombia’s second largest rebel group ELN wants to talk directly with peace activist group Colombians for Peace (CCP), ELN leader Nicolas
Rodriquez said in an interview on the rebel’s homepage.
“We have initiated a correspondence with [CCP] but now we aspire to move from that level to a more direct exchange,” Rodriquez said. “We are interested in direct talks with Colombians who see the urgency of peace,” the rebel added.
CCP sent a letter to ELN Monday asking them to stop the kidnappings of civilians. So far, the rebels did not respond to that request explicitly.
Colombians for Peace is also involved in a correspondence with the left-wing
rebel group FARC to seek a political solution to the country’s
45-year old violent conflict.