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How significant is Colombia's ELN rebel group? How significant is Colombia's ELN rebel group?
(about 20 hours later)
On Wednesday, the Colombian government announced that it would start formal peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) after more than five decades of conflict. Here, we take a closer look at the rebel group.On Wednesday, the Colombian government announced that it would start formal peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) after more than five decades of conflict. Here, we take a closer look at the rebel group.
Who are the ELN rebels?Who are the ELN rebels?
The group was founded in 1964 and follows a Marxist-Leninist ideology. It was inspired by the Cuban revolution of 1959.The group was founded in 1964 and follows a Marxist-Leninist ideology. It was inspired by the Cuban revolution of 1959.
One of its founders was Camilo Torres, a Jesuit priest and follower of liberation theology, a radical movement within the Catholic Church especially popular in Latin America, where it emerged in response to widespread poverty and ill-treatment of ordinary people. One of its key leaders was Camilo Torres, a Jesuit priest and follower of liberation theology, a radical movement within the Catholic Church especially popular in Latin America, where it emerged in response to widespread poverty and ill-treatment of ordinary people.
The group is believed to have some 1,300 active fighters, according to recent government estimates.
What do they want?What do they want?
The rebel group was created in the 1960s to fight Colombia's unequal distribution of land and riches.The rebel group was created in the 1960s to fight Colombia's unequal distribution of land and riches.
Over the decades, the guerrilla group has attacked large landholders and multinational companies. It has repeatedly blown up oil pipelines.Over the decades, the guerrilla group has attacked large landholders and multinational companies. It has repeatedly blown up oil pipelines.
It feels particularly strongly that Colombia's oil and mineral riches should be shared among its people rather than exploited by foreign multinationals.It feels particularly strongly that Colombia's oil and mineral riches should be shared among its people rather than exploited by foreign multinationals.
To finance itself it has resorted to extortion, kidnappings and drug trafficking.To finance itself it has resorted to extortion, kidnappings and drug trafficking.
Where are they most active?Where are they most active?
The ELN has been strongest in rural areas.The ELN has been strongest in rural areas.
It has strongholds in the border area with Venezuela, in Casanare and Norte de Santander, and in Cauca province.It has strongholds in the border area with Venezuela, in Casanare and Norte de Santander, and in Cauca province.
The Colombian security forces say there are about 2,000 active fighters in ELN ranks, some of them are under age.
Are these the first peace talks with the ELN?Are these the first peace talks with the ELN?
No, there have been numerous attempts before. Most recently between 2002 and 2007, but they never reached a final accord.No, there have been numerous attempts before. Most recently between 2002 and 2007, but they never reached a final accord.
The ELN said it wanted to restart talks when it became public that Colombia's largest rebel group, the Farc, was negotiating with the government.The ELN said it wanted to restart talks when it became public that Colombia's largest rebel group, the Farc, was negotiating with the government.
However, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos insisted that talks with the ELN be held separately from those with the Farc.However, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos insisted that talks with the ELN be held separately from those with the Farc.
He also said that the ELN would have to stop kidnapping people first.He also said that the ELN would have to stop kidnapping people first.
Why now?Why now?
The peace talks with the Farc are on their final stretch, with the two sides hoping they can be wrapped up by the end of the year.The peace talks with the Farc are on their final stretch, with the two sides hoping they can be wrapped up by the end of the year.
While President Santos was reluctant to include the ELN in the peace talks held with the Farc, he also knew that he could not claim to have achieved peace if he only signed a deal with the bigger group.While President Santos was reluctant to include the ELN in the peace talks held with the Farc, he also knew that he could not claim to have achieved peace if he only signed a deal with the bigger group.
Many in the security forces warned that the ELN could take over regions vacated by the Farc, perpetuating the violence in those areas.Many in the security forces warned that the ELN could take over regions vacated by the Farc, perpetuating the violence in those areas.
The ELN faced being the main target of the security forces if a permanent peace deal was reached with the larger Farc rebel group.The ELN faced being the main target of the security forces if a permanent peace deal was reached with the larger Farc rebel group.
Its leaders also said they had been buoyed by the recent visit of the US president to Cuba, which they said showed that there had been a political shift worldwide.Its leaders also said they had been buoyed by the recent visit of the US president to Cuba, which they said showed that there had been a political shift worldwide.
What will happen next?What will happen next?
The two sides will meet in Ecuador to start their formal talks. Judging by the pace of the Farc peace talks, the process will not be quick.The two sides will meet in Ecuador to start their formal talks. Judging by the pace of the Farc peace talks, the process will not be quick.
The Farc and the government talks have been going on for more than three years and the two sides just missed a self-imposed deadline on 23 March.The Farc and the government talks have been going on for more than three years and the two sides just missed a self-imposed deadline on 23 March.
However, analysts say the talks between the ELN and the government will benefit from the experiences gained in the Farc-government talks.However, analysts say the talks between the ELN and the government will benefit from the experiences gained in the Farc-government talks.
Also, some issues have already been covered in the exploratory talks held over the past two years.Also, some issues have already been covered in the exploratory talks held over the past two years.