UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Photo from the archive Colombia: UN Secretary-General calls for an immediate end to violence Peace and Security
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is deeply concerned by the recent violence that has taken place in northern Colombia in the Catatumbo region and calls for an immediate end to the bloodshed, according to a statement issued by his press service on behalf of the UN chief.
Killings of Civilians
Antonio Guterres, as emphasized in the document, condemns the killings of civilians, including former combatants who signed the 2016 Final Peace Agreement, human rights defenders and community leaders, and is concerned by reports of the displacement of thousands of civilians.
Clashes between Armed Groups
According to the press, clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and armed groups have been ongoing in Colombia for several days. On Friday, January 17, President Gustavo Petro suspended dialogue with the ELN and sent government troops to the combat zones. The UN chief “took note” of the president’s decision to suspend dialogue, the statement said.
Call to stop violence
“The Secretary-General calls for an immediate end to violence against civilians and for unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need,” the statement said.
UN support
The UN Verification Mission in Colombia has helped evacuate people at risk, and UN agencies are supporting the government’s efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected population.
“The Secretary-General reiterates the importance of the full implementation of the Final Peace Agreement, which is a cornerstone of the consolidation of peace in Colombia,” the statement said. UN Press Service.
The Final Peace Agreement was signed in 2016 and ended the conflict that had lasted in Colombia for half a century. In 2017, the United Nations Security Council established the UN Verification Mission, whose tasks include verifying the implementation of the Final Agreement, as well as facilitating peace processes.