ELN guerrilla announces resumption of kidnappings for economic purposes to pressure the government in peace negotiations.

The guerrilla of the National Liberation Army (ELN) has once again brought up the controversy over kidnappings for economic purposes, announcing its decision to resume this practice after suspending it in February. However, according to the guerrilla's chief negotiator, Israel Ramírez Pineda, known as 'Pablo Beltrán', this action should not be interpreted as an ultimatum to the Colombian government, but as a demonstration of ELN's willingness to continue seeking a negotiated solution to the conflict. In an interview with EFE, Beltrán explained that the suspension of kidnappings for economic purposes was initially agreed upon as a temporary measure, pending the finding of alternative solutions to finance the guerrilla. However, due to the lack of progress in the negotiations and the crisis at the dialogue table, ELN was forced to resume this practice as a way to pressure the government to resume discussions. The guerrilla leader emphasized that ELN has shown its willingness to fulfill unilateral commitments, such as suspending kidnappings, but it is necessary for the government to also fulfill its part in the negotiation. The lack of progress in the implementation of previous agreements has caused a gap in the discussions, leading ELN to take this measure to draw attention to the need to resume dialogue. Although both parties recently signed the first point of the negotiation agenda in Caracas, disputes and crises at the dialogue table have prevented the holding of new negotiation cycles since January. The extension of the ceasefire, which has been incident-free for a year, is one of the points that will need to be discussed in the next meeting between ELN and the government. For ELN, kidnappings for economic purposes are not considered as hostage-taking, but as a "temporary detention" of individuals they consider responsible for corruption. According to Beltrán, these actions are primarily directed against those who have illicitly enriched themselves, and are justified as a way to "expropriate the corrupt." The guerrilla argues that these "detentions" are a way to collect taxes from those who do not fulfill their obligations, and that temporary detention is only resorted to when necessary. However, these actions are considered war crimes under International Humanitarian Law, generating controversy and rejection from Colombian society. In the midst of this situation, ELN hopes that the government will fulfill what was agreed upon in the negotiations and that progress will be made in including more prohibited actions in the ceasefire. The willingness to continue seeking a negotiated solution to the conflict is present in both parties, but the lack of progress and the crisis at the dialogue table pose a significant challenge to achieving sustainable peace in Colombia. In this situation, it is essential for the government and ELN to resume conversations in a constructive manner and with the willingness to reach agreements that benefit all Colombian society. Peace in the country is a shared aspiration, and only through dialogue and the commitment of both parties can a future of reconciliation and prosperity be built for Colombia.