Tag Archives: Colombia

Officials Reveal al-Qaeda Terror Plot Targeting US Presidential Election

Intelligence officials warned on 4 November that al-Qaeda may be planning terror attacks in several states around the US presidential election, which is set to take place on 8 November.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the New York Police Department (NYPD) have disclosed that they are taking the threat seriously, adding that they are assessing the credibility of a possible attack on the eve of Election Day. Officials have further disclosed that counter-terrorism investigators are viewing the information that the terror group is planning to carry out attacks in New York, Texas and Virginia, however there have been no specific locations in these states that have been mentioned. In a statement, NYPD spokesman disclosed that the information “lacks specificity.” Steve Coleman also indicated that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates airports, tunnels and bridges around New York City, had been alerted, adding “we are continuing with the high level of patrols at all of our facilities that we have had in place for some time now.”

The threat comes just four days before polls officially open in the US. Earlier last week, an alert warned local police of “polling places” being seen as “attractive targets” for “lone wolf” attacks. Officials however have disclosed that they regularly assess all possible security threats ahead of major events, with a senior FBI official telling CBS news that “the counter-terrorism and homeland security communities remain vigilant and well-postured to defend against attacks here in the United States…The FBI, working with our federal, state and local counterparts, shares and assesses intelligence on a daily basis and will continue to work closely with law enforcement and intelligence community partners to identify and disrupt any potential threat to public safety.”

Colombia Delays Peace Talks with ELN

Colombia has announced that it is delaying peace talks with Marxist National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels until they free a politician who has been held captive for six months. President Juan Manuel Santos made the announcement on 27 October as he struggles to salvage a peace agreement with the FARC that was rejected in a referendum.

Reiterating a condition he set months ago, President Santos disclosed that the ELN, which is the country’s second-biggest insurgent group, must release Odin Sanchez to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) before talks can begin in Ecuador. The opening ceremony had been scheduled to take place in Ecuador’s capital on 27 October at 6 PM ED (2200 GMT) however it was cancelled at the last minute.

Furthermore, recent remarks by ELN members have posed a setback to the talks. Member of the ELN Negotiating Team Pablo Beltran has disclosed that the group has the right to “deprive liberty” from people in the armed conflict in Colombia, effectively meaning that the group claims that kidnapping is their legal right. Statements by Pablo Beltran have also caused problems for the negotiations to release Mr Sanchez.

The 2,000-strong ELN, which is considered a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union (EU), had kidnapped hundreds of people during its 52-year insurgency in order to raise funds and use hostages as bargaining ships with the Colombian government.

The talks with the ELN are likely to mirror those, which were held with the FARC. The peace agreement was signed on 26 September with the FARC and while it was internationally lauded, it was criticised by many in Colombia for being too lenient on the rebels. Former President Alvaro Uribe is now leading the effort to change the agreement that would have given the FARC guaranteed congressional seats and immunity from traditional jail sentences.

Colombian Government and FARC Willing to Hear Plans to Change Peace Agreement

The Colombian government and Marxist FARC rebels have disclosed that they are willing to listen to proposals to alter their peace accords after a negotiated agreement was unexpectedly rejected during a referendum, effectively leaving the country in limbo.

In a joint statement from Havana, Cuba, negotiators from the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) disclosed that after four years of talks, they have the “necessary reforms and measures to achieve peace and guarantee an end to the conflict.” The two sides however noted that they recognized that the accord was rejected in a 2 October referendum, adding that they were willing to listen to proposed adjustments. In the statement, which was ready by lead government negotiator Humberto de la Calle, both sides disclosed that “it’s right that we continue listening to different sectors of society in a quick and efficient manner to understand their concerns and promptly find a solution.” The statement however did not provide details of the next steps.

In a vote that confounded opinion polls and was a disaster for President Santos, Colombians narrowly rebuffed the pact as to lenient on the rebels.

In Bogota, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and representatives have been listening to the views of those who voted against the deal, led by former President Alvaro Uribe. Those will be presented by government negotiations at some point to the FARC for discussion. Uribe opposed the peace talks from the beginning, later stating that the deal gave too many concessions to the rebels. He spearheaded the “no” campaign, urging Colombians to reject the accord, which would have given the FARC guaranteed congressional seats and immunity from traditional jail sentences. His side won by half a percentage point.

The statement from the two sides comes just hours after President Santos was awarded the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the 52-year-old war with the FAR. The Norwegian Nobel Committee disclosed that the Colombian leader had brought one of the longest civil wars in modern history closer to a peaceful solution, noting however that the process could still collapse given the results of the referendum.

Colombia to Begin Peace Talks with ELN Rebels on 27 October

The Colombian government and the second-largest rebel group announced earlier this month that they will begin formal peace talks on 27 October in what is likely to be a boost for President Juan Manuel Santos in the wake of the rejection of his deal with the larger FARC guerrilla group.

According to an agreement signed in Caracas by both sides under the auspices of Venezuela’s government, the negotiations with the 2,000-strong National Liberation Army (ELN) will begin in Ecuador. In a speech shortly after the announcement, President Santos disclosed that “we are a special nation that grows despite adversities,” adding, “peace wont slip through out fingers. On the contrary, it will be stronger, and now that we will advance with the ELN, it will be complete.”

At war for five decades, after being founded by radical Catholic priests and inspired by Cuba’s revolution, the ELN has been in on-an-off closed-door talks with the Colombian government since January 2014, with talks focusing on how the two sides would conduct peace negotiations and what would be on the table. The ELN has remained active during this time, kidnapping and bombing oil installations. However in recent months, it has released some captives and with the announcement of the agreement, the ELN has stated that it would begin to release two remaining hostages by 27 October. The ELN has sought peace before, holding talks in Cuba and Venezuela between 2002 and 2007.

Earlier this month, the Colombian leader won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end a 52-year-old war with the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The choice was a surprise given the fact that voters narrowly rejected a deal that he signed with them last month. While President Santos’ peace accord with the FARC was internationally lauded, it was narrowly rebuffed in a plebiscite as being too lenient on the rebels. Former President Alvaro Uribe is currently leading the effort to change the agreement, which would have given the FARC guaranteed congressional seats and immunity from traditional jail sentence. During the referendum, his side won by half a percentage point.

While peace with the two rebel groups is unlikely to put a complete end to the violence in Colombia, which has also been ravaged by unrest from drug trafficking and other crimes, it would allow economic development and would result in a shift of more military resources towards the fighting of growing criminal gangs.

President Santos, whose two-term rule ends in August 2018, has staked his reputation on inking peace agreements with both rebel groups. He is donating his Nobel prize, which is worth 8 million Swedish crowns (US $930,000) to Colombia’s conflict victims.

Two-Dozen ELN Rebels Surrender Ahead of Peace Talks

The military reported on 18 October that two-dozen fighters from the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels have surrendered voluntarily to the Colombian navy, in what is a sign that the group may be losing strength as it prepares to begin peace talks with the Colombian government.

In a statement, General Juan Pablo Rodriguez disclosed that the rebels from the Cimarron Resistance Front in the northwestern province of Choco handed over their firearms and munitions on 17 October. According to the statement, so far this year, 252 ELN members have demobilized, 388 have been captured and 46 have been killed in combat. Many rebels who demobilize do so individually, therefore making the surrender of a large group of fighters unusual.

Despite more than two years of on-and-off closed-door talks with the Colombian government, the 2,000-strong ELN has remained active, kidnapping and bombing oil installations.

The ELN is due to begin negotiations with the government of President Juan Manuel Santos on 27 October in a bid to end more than 52 years of war.