The ELN denies having discussed the "bilateral ceasefire" with the government of Gustavo Petro

The Government of Petro and the ELN reinstate the talks table 4:01

(CNN Spanish) --

The National Liberation Army (ELN) reported through a statement that there is no agreement with the Government of Colombia for the bilateral ceasefire, as President Gustavo Petro had announced on the night of the 31st. from December.

According to the letter, published on the ELN website, for the guerrilla group there is still no agreement related to this issue.

"The ELN Dialogue Delegation has not discussed any proposal for a bilateral ceasefire with the government of Gustavo Petro, therefore there is still no agreement on this matter," said the statement dated January 1.

• This is how the peace processes between Colombia and the ELN have been for years and these have been the results

In addition, they assure that it will be in the second cycle of the dialogue, which will take place in Mexico, when the ceasefire proposal will possibly be discussed.

"We understand the Government Decree as a proposal to be examined in the next cycle," they add.

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CNN has asked the Government of Colombia for its response to the ELN's statements and we are awaiting a response.

Peter's announcement

The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, reported this Saturday that a "bilateral cessation" agreement had been reached for a period of six months with the National Liberation Army (ELN), which would start on January 1, 2023.

Petro cited that the agreement also includes the groups Segunda Marquetalia, the Central General Staff, the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, and the Sierra Nevada Self-Defense Forces.

• The Colombian government considers the ELN's announcement of a truce for Christmas and the end of the year as a positive gesture of peace

The official communiqué indicates: "The cessation will have as its main objective to suspend the humanitarian impact on the population... suspend offensive actions and avoid armed incidents between the Public Force and organizations outside the law."

In addition, the president said that this agreement is extendable depending on the progress of the negotiations.

"Total peace will be a reality," added Petro.

Gustavo Petro