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Colombia: ELN rebels 'taking over Farc areas' ahead of peace deal | Colombia: ELN rebels 'taking over Farc areas' ahead of peace deal |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Colombia's indigenous agency (Onic) has expressed concern over the presence of fighters from the ELN, or National Liberation Army, in areas traditionally held by the Farc rebel group. | Colombia's indigenous agency (Onic) has expressed concern over the presence of fighters from the ELN, or National Liberation Army, in areas traditionally held by the Farc rebel group. |
The government and the Farc are expected to sign a historic peace accord on 23 March. | The government and the Farc are expected to sign a historic peace accord on 23 March. |
The head of the agency, Luis Fernando Arias, urged the authorities to investigate. | The head of the agency, Luis Fernando Arias, urged the authorities to investigate. |
He said the indigenous people fear the presence of the ELN on their land. | He said the indigenous people fear the presence of the ELN on their land. |
Indigenous groups in many parts of the country have found ELN propaganda material in their areas, said Mr Arias. | Indigenous groups in many parts of the country have found ELN propaganda material in their areas, said Mr Arias. |
"Since the Farc declared its unilateral ceasefire [in December 2014] we have begun to see evidence of presence of the ELN in areas of Vale del Cauca, Norte del Cauca, Choco and Narino where they had never been," he said. | "Since the Farc declared its unilateral ceasefire [in December 2014] we have begun to see evidence of presence of the ELN in areas of Vale del Cauca, Norte del Cauca, Choco and Narino where they had never been," he said. |
"So people began to ask themselves if there had been a change of command," added Mr Arias. | "So people began to ask themselves if there had been a change of command," added Mr Arias. |
The Farc, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, is by far the country's largest rebel group. | The Farc, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, is by far the country's largest rebel group. |
It was founded in 1964 and is thought to have reached its peak in the 1990s and the 2000s. | It was founded in 1964 and is thought to have reached its peak in the 1990s and the 2000s. |
It is now estimated to have 8,000 fighters in its ranks. | It is now estimated to have 8,000 fighters in its ranks. |
The ELN is Colombia's second largest rebel group. | The ELN is Colombia's second largest rebel group. |
El Tiempo newspaper has reported that the ELN seems to be recruiting Farc rebels who disagree with the peace deal or are insecure about their future in civilian life. | El Tiempo newspaper has reported that the ELN seems to be recruiting Farc rebels who disagree with the peace deal or are insecure about their future in civilian life. |
ELN | ELN |
Farc negotiators and the Colombian government have been holding peace talks in the Cuban capital, Havana, since November 2012. | Farc negotiators and the Colombian government have been holding peace talks in the Cuban capital, Havana, since November 2012. |
The two sides have announced they are willing to sign an agreement on 23 March, putting an end to more than five decades of conflict. | The two sides have announced they are willing to sign an agreement on 23 March, putting an end to more than five decades of conflict. |
The agreement would then need to be approved by the Colombian people in a referendum. | The agreement would then need to be approved by the Colombian people in a referendum. |
More than 220,000 people have been killed and millions have been displaced in unrest which began in the 1960s and has also involved other guerrilla groups and right-wing paramilitaries. | More than 220,000 people have been killed and millions have been displaced in unrest which began in the 1960s and has also involved other guerrilla groups and right-wing paramilitaries. |
Preliminary talks between the government and the ELN started two years ago during negotiations with the Farc. | |
But President Juan Manuel Santos is demanding that they release two captives as a condition for any peace deal. | But President Juan Manuel Santos is demanding that they release two captives as a condition for any peace deal. |
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