• Country/entity

  Colombia
  

• Region

  Americas
  

• Agreement name

  Comunicado Conjunto N. 18

• Date

  4 Sep 2023

• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed

• Interim arrangement

  Yes

• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Colombian Conflict (1964 - ) )

• Stage

  Implementation/renegotiation

• Conflict nature

  Government

• Peace process

  Colombia VI - Government-ELN post-2015 process

• Parties

  Government of Colombia,
  the National Liberation Army (ELN)

• Third parties

  -

• Description

  Talks aimed at establishing peace between the Colombian government and the ELN militant group resumed on August 14, featuring a new focus on societal participation. Significant developments in this negotiation process include a six-month bilateral ceasefire across Colombia and the launch of the National Participation Committee on August 3, marking an unprecedented step in peacebuilding efforts. Future talks are scheduled to take place in Mexico, and a Monitoring and Verification Mechanism has been implemented as part of the ceasefire agreement to maintain open communication and avoid confrontations.

• Agreement document

  CO_230904_Joint Statement No. 18.pdf | Download PDF

• Agreement document (original language)

  CO_230904_Comunicado Conjunto N. 18.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

PEACE DIALOGUE TABLE BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY-ELN

JOINT STATEMENT Nº 18

THE IV ROUND OF THE PEACE DIALOGUE TABLE CONCLUDES WITH THE “CARACAS AGREEMENTS”

The delegations from the Government of the Republic of Colombia and the National Liberation Army – ELN, announce that we have agreed:

FIRST CARACAS AGREEMENT A Political and Conceptual Framework delineating humanitarian actions and processes, outlining the principles and approaches aimed at ensuring the humanitarian objectives of the cessation are achieved.

SECOND CARACAS AGREEMENT Critical zones for humanitarian actions and dynamics.

Declaration of Bajo Calima and San Juan as a critical zone and progression toward designating Bajo Cauca, north-eastern Antioquia, and the southern region of Bolivar as additional critical zones.

In these locations, there will be focal points for humanitarian initiatives, guarantees for compliance with the bilateral, national, and temporary ceasefire, community involvement in the peace process, and social development projects supported by the National Planning Department.

The Board will be attentive to community proposals to assess the designation of other critical areas.

PARTIAL AGREEMENT Development of specialized protocols to attend political prisoners and individuals identified as ELN members, currently held in prisons and detention facilities across the country.

Colombian prisons and detention centres will be designated as critical zones for this purpose.

Moreover, we provide an update on the following activities:

1.The design phase of society's participation in the peace process continues, with the consolidation of the National Participation Committee (CNP), through the formation of five commissions currently engaged in preparing 25 national and regional initiatives to construct the national participation plan.

The third plenary session of the CNP will take place on September 9 and 10, 2023.

2. The first monthly management report of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MMV) for the Temporary National Bilateral Ceasefire (CFBNT) has been received, it emphasizes the establishment of its national body and seven regional units.

Progress was made by the MMV in crafting and endorsing the Normal Operating Procedure (PON), while also urging ethnic authorities, social organizations, and human rights groups to engage as social observers during the ceasefire period.

3. We have agreed to formalize a letter of intent with the Colombian Public Media System (RTVC) SEÑAL COLOMBIA to broadcast updates on the peace process.

4. Over the next weeks, the delegations will travel to various regions to develop activities concerning the bilateral ceasefire, community involvement in the peace process, and the development of social education on all these matters.

These activities aim to foster a conducive environment for the local elections on October 29.

5. We thank the citizens and government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for hosting the Peace Dialogue Table's proceedings in recent weeks.

Our appreciation extends to the guarantor nations, permanent observers, and the Group of Support and Accompaniment countries and Cooperation (GPAAC) for their presence and support.

Caracas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, September 4, 2023.