The Red Cross have said that they are ready to mediate in a potential peace deal between the Colombia government and the country’s second-largest rebel group ELN.
With the Tuesday release of Canadian mining engineer Jernoc Wobert, who was taken hostage by the ELN on January 18th, the rebel group have shown themselves willing to begin the peace process.
MORE: ELN releases Canadian hostage kidnapped in northern Colombia
The ELN requested that the Red Cross be part of the process to hand over Wobert, and the international aid organization are now ready to be mediators in any peace talks with the government.
“Just like we did with the liberation of [Wobert], the [Red Cross] will be ready to facilitate any peace process when it is asked to do so by the two parties,” said Jordi Raich, leader of Colombia’s delegation for the Red Cross.
ELN leader Nicolas Rodriguez, alias “Gabino”, reiterated their desire to join the peace talks through a video message: “the ELN is ready to take part in the peace process so urgently needed in Colombia.”
President Juan Manuel Santos made the release of the Canadian a condition for joining the peace talks currently being held with main rebel group FARC.
MORE: Kidnapped miner will not be released until titles are surrendered: ELN
Sources
- CICR dispuesto a mediar en un eventual Proceso de Paz con el ELN (Caracol Radio)