New Delhi: The United Kingdom condemned the recent violence between the ELN and EMBF in Colombia, which left over 80 people dead and displaced around 18,000. The violence occurred in Catatumbo on 16 January and included the deaths of signatories to the 2016 Peace Agreement, a UK government release stated.
In a statement delivered at the UN Security Council meeting on Colombia, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador James Kariuki, described the attacks as “barbaric actions” and called upon both the ELN and EMBF to cease hostilities and demonstrate their commitment to peace.
“President, we condemn the violence between the Ejército de Liberación Nacional and the Estado Mayor Central, in Catatumbo on 16 January which left over 80 dead, including signatories to the 2016 Agreement and which displaced approximately 18,000 people,” the ambassador said at the UN.
Ambassador Kariuki also expressed concerns over the rise in child recruitment and the use of anti-personnel mines, urging the Colombian government to prioritize the security of all vulnerable communities.
Kariuki urged the government to work together with the Special Jurisdiction for Peace to accelerate sentencing and restorative justice measures, maintaining the confidence of both the victims, and the signatories to the Agreement.