Full Breakdown
ELN Declares Unilateral Ceasefire Ahead of Colombia’s 2026 Presidential Election
5/21/2026, 3:02:58 AM
Ceasefire Announcement
The ELN announced a unilateral ceasefire from midnight on 30 May to midnight on 2 June 2026, saying the pause is to “guarantee a free vote” as Colombians vote on 31 May. The government has not responded.
Political Context
Peace talks with President Gustavo Petro began in 2022 but were halted after a May 2025 border attack that killed 100 people. The 2026 ballot pits left-wing senator Iván Cepeda (Historic Pact) against conservative Paloma Valencia (Democratic Center) and Abelardo de la Espriella. An Invamer poll shows Cepeda at 44.3 % support, De la Espriella 21.5 % and Valencia 19.8 %.
Key Actors
Key actors include the ELN (?27,000 fighters, 23.5 % growth), President Gustavo Petro, candidates Iván Cepeda, Paloma Valencia, Abelardo de la Espriella, former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez, and dissident FARC columns led by Jaime Patiño, Jaime Martínez and Dagoberto Ramos.
Timeline
9 May – ELN reports a bombardment near Tibú with no casualties. 30 May – ceasefire begins; 31 May – voting; 2 June – ceasefire ends; 21 June – possible runoff.
Official Statement
The ELN’s National Directorate ordered combat units to suspend offensive actions against the armed forces and reiterated that the group “does not have a policy of threatening or attacking candidates.” It also noted that a May 9 bombardment “fell into the void,” signaling capacity while pausing hostilities. The government has not commented.
Criticism
President Álvaro Uribe Vélez posted on X that the ELN and dissident FARC columns are pressuring Cauca communities to vote for Cepeda, claiming residents must hand over electoral forms in villages such as Bilachí, La Chapa and Tres Quebradas. He urged the National Civil Registry, the Inspector General’s Office and observers to monitor “electoral corruption imposed by narcoguerrillas and narco-terrorists.”
Conflicting Reports
The ELN denies any intimidation of candidates or voters, contradicting Uribe’s claims. No independent verification of coercion in Cauca exists, and government silence leaves a factual gap about whether the ceasefire will ensure a free vote.
Verbatim Quotes
- “the ELN does not have a policy of threatening or attacking candidates,” — ELN National Directorate
- “the ELN and the Jaime Patiño column of the FARC are demanding that communities vote for Iván Cepeda. In the north, the Jaime Martínez and Dagoberto Ramos columns of the FARC are doing the same.” — Álvaro Uribe Vélez, X post
- “These groups have reached the point where people must hand over the electoral forms; they fill them out as they please, and citizens do not even have to go to vote,” — Álvaro Uribe Vélez, X post
Outlook
If no candidate reaches 50 % of the vote, a runoff is set for 21 June. Authorities are expected to investigate Uribe’s coercion allegations, deploy security forces in risk districts, and allow observers to verify whether the ceasefire translates into a free electoral environment.
