Latin America Advisor 2024-01-23 – Inter-American Dialogue

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

January 23, 2024

Is Colombia’s Petro Getting Closer to ‘Total Peace’?

Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s government is in peace talks with the EMC dissident faction of the former FARC rebels as well as with the ELN guerrilla group. // File Photo: Colombian Government.

Q

Colombia’s Estado Mayor Central, or EMC, a dissident faction of the demobilized FARC rebel group, agreed earlier this month during negotiations with the government to halt kidnappings, free 10 hostages and reduce clashes with the military, according to a government negotiator. The two sides also agreed to extend a cease-fire. The developments came just weeks after the National Liberation Army, or ELN, rebels agreed to halt kidnappings for ransom if its cease-fire with the government, which is due to expire on Jan. 29, is extended. How significant are the advances in the government’s talks with the EMC and ELN? What are the biggest obstacles that the government faces in the talks with the rebel groups? How likely is the government to reach peace accords with the EMC and ELN?

A

Jaime Pumarejo, former mayor of Barranquilla, Colombia: “Peace processes are under the umbrella of ‘Paz Total,’ or ‘Total Peace,’ which includes conversations and cease-fire treaties with any type of organization, political or criminal in nature. This includes far left-wing guerrilla groups like the ELN, which in the past have blown up talks through terrorist attacks. These groups have used previous cease-fires to show force, regroup and gain relevance in the territories they wish to command. Talks with the EMC should be focused on how the group will submit to justice, instead of benefits they may receive. Cease-fires in the last year have reduced neither the drug trade nor…”

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The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.

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Gene Kuleta
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E. gkuleta@thedialogue.org

Carl David
Goette-Luciak
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Diego Arria
Director,
Columbus Group

Merike Blofield
Professor of Political Science,
University of Hamburg

Devry Boughner Vorwerk
CEO,
DevryBV Sustainable Strategies

Joyce Chang
Global Head of Research,
J.P. Morgan

Marlene Fernández
Corporate Vice President for Gov’t Relations,
Arcos Dorados (McDonald’s)

Peter Hakim
President Emeritus,
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Donna Hrinak
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Adtalem Global Education

Jon E. Huenemann
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GLG Inc.

James R. Jones
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Monarch Global Strategies

Craig Kelly
Senior Director,
Int’l Gov’t Relations,
Exxon Mobil

Barbara Kotschwar
Professor of Political Economy,
Georgetown University

John Maisto
Director,
US Education Finance Group

Nicolas Mariscal
Chairman,
Grupo Marhnos

Thomas F. McLarty III
Chairman,
McLarty Associates

Beatrice Rangel
Director,
AMLA Consulting

Ernesto Revilla
Head of Latin American Economics, Citi

Gustavo Roosen
President,
IESA

Andrés Rozental
President, Rozental &
Asociados

Shelly Shetty
Managing Director,
Sovereigns, Fitch

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