SPAIN-COLOMBIA | Albarez to discuss Spain’s role in the Bogota peace process

José Manuel Albarez travels to Colombia to find out progress in peace dialogue between the government of Gustavo Petro and the guerrillas of the National Liberation Army (ELN) – a process in which Spain is the “accompanying country” responsible for providing diplomatic and political support. The foreign minister will meet in Cartagena de Indias with two key figures in the negotiations, diplomatic sources told the newspaper: Vera Grabe, appointed by the government of Gustavo Petro as head of the Colombian government’s negotiating team with the ELN; And Oti PatinoHigh Commissioner for Peace of Colombia and a key figure in the whole process.

These meetings, which do not appear on the minister’s official public agenda, are especially relevant given that Spain has not yet appointed a dedicated delegate. ad hoc participate in negotiations. Currently, these functions are entrusted to the Spanish Ambassador in Bogota. Joaquin de Aristegui, who this newspaper has learned has participated in series of conversations in Mexico and Havana. For some time, a special appointment to this position was considered at the ministry “at the highest level” in order to “deepen the dialogue with the parties and increase the visibility of Spain’s role.” That did not happen.

On February 24, the ELN announced that it had frozen peace negotiations with the Colombian government because its counterpart, according to the guerrilla, had not fulfilled its obligations.

Sánchez Petro’s proposal

In August 2022, Pedro Sánchez proposed full Spanish participation in Colombia’s ongoing negotiations with the guerrillas to Gustavo Petro. That our country played the role of a “guarantor” (maximum) and this will hold several rounds of negotiations. In the end, Spain’s participation remained only a minor “accompanying” country.

Spain’s entry into this process was damaged both by the Spanish electoral cycle, which lasted almost six months, and, above all, by the boycott of the Marxist-Leninist guerrilla party ELN, which views Spain as a NATO country.

The peace process in Colombia has a significant impact on life in Spain. Our country is home to tens of thousands of Colombians displaced by brutal conflict. In total, more than half a million Colombians are registered.

“Full World”

Gustavo Petro made a state visit to Spain from May 2 to 5. The leftist president came to power in the summer of 2022 and became the first Colombian president to take part in one of the guerrilla guerrillas, specifically the M-19. After taking the oath of office, he committed himself to achieving the so-called “Complete Peace.” Eliminate the scourge of violence through political negotiation and policing techniques.

For decades, the country has been ravaged by a variety of brutal armed groups, always combining political ideology and economic interests, often linked to drug trafficking. President Juan Manuel Santos managed to achieve a partial peace with the main FARC party and thus received the Nobel Prize. Peter wants to continue his work and repeat what was achieved with the ANO and other aggressive groups.

Two rounds of negotiations were held with the ELN – in Venezuela and Mexico, whose governments are more popular with the guerrillas. As guarantor countries, there are Venezuela itself and Cuba, where some ELN leaders live. Spain and Chile as “satellites”. This means that they must provide their political and diplomatic support to build trust between the parties and try to resolve problems that arise during the negotiations. In addition, Spain is expected to participate by supporting the development of economic initiatives that will allow guerrillas to lay down their arms and reintegrate into civilian life. This will be done through the Spanish cooperation agency AECID.

Meeting with the responsible chancellor

The head of Spanish diplomacy will also meet with his Colombian counterpart Luis Gilberto Murillo, Foreign Relations reports.

In Colombia, the minister plans to open the first World Forum to Eliminate Cervical Cancer, one of the most common and preventable with the human papillomavirus vaccine.

The forum is organized by the governments of Spain and Colombia together with international organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) and UNICEF.

From Cartagena de Indias, Albarez will fly to Panama City, where he will meet with Panamanian Foreign Minister Janaina Tevani.