U.N. mission to monitor Colombia's ceasefire with ELN rebel group

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday authorized the U.N. political mission in Colombia to help monitor the ceasefire agreement between the government and the rebel group National Liberation Army (ELN). 

The ELN, one of the largest armed groups in the country, has been engaging in peace negotiations with the government since last year after Colombian President Gustavo Petro vowed to end the decades-long armed conflict that has left more than 450,000 dead.

In June, Petro’s government and the guerilla group agreed to a full bilateral ceasefire, set to begin on August 3 and last for six months, with the option to be extended. Both sides have pledged to hold further negotiations in Venezuela beginning in August. 

Since 2016, the U.N. has been monitoring a similar peace deal made between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). As part of the agreement, more than 14,000 FARC combatants gave up their weapons. 

The Colombian government asked the U.N. mission to extend its verification mandate to include the recent cease-fire reached with the National Liberation Army. The U.N. political mission has 120 authorized observers and can add up to 68 additional ones if needed, according to the resolution. 

The council said the agreement with the ELN would help “contribute to improving the humanitarian situation in conflict-affected areas.”

In addition to the U.N. Colombian security forces, ELN members, and religious group representatives also make up the multi-lateral verification mechanism. 

The Security Council also said it would help monitor the agreement if the Colombian government reached another cease-fire agreement with the armed group Estado Mayor Central. 

The ELN is estimated to have around 5,850 members—2,900 combatants and 2,950 of which are part of its support network, according to a security report released in April. It is one of the four major armed groups operating in the country.