Colombia’s second largest rebel group ELN on Thursday called on the country’s armed forces to support a peace process between the state and illegal armed groups.
In a video released on the guerrillas’ website, the ELN’s supreme leader, “Gabino,” called on the members of the security forces to give peace their “full support.”
“It is important that today exists the greatness to look towards peace, and who else to work for it other than those who have endured and developed the war in the depths of its crudeness,” Gabino, whose real name is Nicolas Rodriguez, told the members of the state forces.
The rebel who has led the guerrilla organization since the 1970s called on a “profound reflection and full support to this peace process” that is currently being carried out between the administration of President Juan Manuel Santos and the country’s largest rebel group FARC, and of which the ELN has expressed interest to join.
However, Gabino warned that, unless the civilian population is involved in peace building, Colombia will only live a “moment of peace” instead of successfully concluding a “process of peace.”
The ELN has been at war with the Colombian state since 1964.
