ELN declares unilateral ceasefire for Colombian presidential election runoff

The National Liberation Army (ELN), Colombia's second-largest guerrilla group, has declared a unilateral three-day ceasefire to coincide with the presidential election runoff on June 21. The move is intended as a gesture of "non-interference in the current electoral process," according to a statement released by the group's national directorate.

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not to carry out offensive military operations against the Armed Forces of the State.

From midnight on June 20 to midnight on June 23, all ELN ranks have been instructed "not to carry out offensive military operations against the Armed Forces of the State." This is not the first time the ELN has implemented such a measure during elections, stating it demonstrates their "commitment to respecting the free right to vote."

The ELN also used the statement to condemn what it described as "interference" from "rulers of other countries." This appears to be a veiled reference to support expressed by U.S. President Donald Trump for far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella. "Any interference by rulers of other countries in the political decisions that only concern us Colombians is condemnable and cannot be accepted," the statement read.

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commitment to respecting the free right to vote and non-interference in the current electoral process.

The guerrilla group, which has seen its peace talks with the current government stall, asserted its consistent policy of not threatening or attacking candidates. They also stated they do not force or prevent people from voting. Colombians are set to choose their next president on Sunday, with polls indicating a lead for De la Espriella over leftist candidate Iván Cepeda.

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Any interference by rulers of other countries in the political decisions that only concern us Colombians is condemnable and cannot be accepted.