BOGOTA, Colombia — In a significant development toward potential peace negotiations, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced Sunday his acceptance of a proposal from the National Liberation Army (ELN) to establish an independent commission investigating the rebel group’s alleged connections to narcotics trafficking. The unprecedented move comes after ELN commander Antonio García publicly challenged the government in a January 20 video statement to verify their claims of non-involvement in drug operations. President Petro responded via social media platform X, stipulating that the verification body must maintain scientific integrity and governmental independence while reporting its findings directly to the United Nations. The Colombian leader simultaneously urged ELN forces to support crop substitution initiatives in the conflict-ridden Catatumbo region, where coca cultivation remains prevalent. This diplomatic breakthrough follows last year’s collapsed peace talks, which deteriorated after ELN offensives displaced over 50,000 civilians and resulted in numerous casualties. The 5,000-strong Marxist rebel group, established in the 1960s, has expanded its territorial control along the Venezuela-Colombia border following the 2017 disarmament of FARC rebels. Petro’s administration has consistently accused ELN leadership of being ‘drug traffickers disguised as guerrilla fighters,’ citing narcotics revenue as a primary obstacle to successful peace negotiations.
Colombian president accepts rebel’s proposal to have a commission investigate its possible drug ties
