BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia has once again halted peace negotiations with the National Liberation Army, commonly known as the ELN, citing recent violent incidents attributed to the group in the northeastern part of the country. This marks the second suspension of talks in less than a year. President Gustavo Petro expressed on his X account that the dialogue is being paused because, in his view, the ELN lacks a genuine commitment to achieving peace.

The ELN has been engaged in conflict with former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in the Catatumbo region, which is located close to the Colombia-Venezuela border. Following a peace agreement that FARC reached with the Colombian government in 2016, the ELN has been pushing into rural areas that were previously held by FARC.

Allegations against the ELN have recently intensified. On Thursday, a former FARC leader claimed that the ELN was responsible for the deaths of at least four demobilized FARC members. Authorities are currently investigating additional reports of fatalities attributed to the group’s actions. President Petro has characterized the ELN’s violence in Catatumbo as “war crimes,” although he did not provide specific details regarding these incidents.

The Colombian government initially suspended peace negotiations with the ELN last September following the group’s involvement in the deaths of two soldiers. Talks were initiated in November 2022 under President Petro’s leadership, who became the first leftist president of the country. He also implemented a broader initiative aimed at negotiating with other armed factions as part of a program referred to as “total peace.”

Founded in the 1960s by students and labor leaders inspired by the Cuban Revolution, the ELN is estimated to have around 6,000 fighters operating in Colombia and Venezuela. The group primarily funds its operations through illicit activities, including drug trafficking and illegal mining operations.