The UN gave strong support to the ceasefire between the national government and armed groups announced by Gustavo Petro

The government of Gustavo Petro received strong support for the announcement made by the president regarding the Ceasefire with the ELN, the Segunda Marquetalia, the Central General Staff, the AGC, and the Self-Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada.

Petro reported on December 31 through Twitter that a bilateral Ceasefire was agreed from January 1 to June 30, 2023, extendable depending on progress in the peace negotiations.

In addition, noting that total peace will be a reality, he specified that this is a bold act.

In this regard, in recent hours the special representative of the UN Secretary General (United Nations Organization) in Colombia and Deputy Secretary General of said entity, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, assured, among other things, that he supports all efforts aimed at reduce violence in the territories.

“I salute the announcement of a bilateral Ceasefire made by President Gustavo Petro. The United Nations supports all efforts aimed at reducing violence in the territories, protecting the communities affected by the conflict and building peace in Colombia”, wrote Ruiz Massieu.

For its part, the Ombudsman's Office highlighted the announcement and stressed that all gestures that allow stopping armed actions that affect the civilian population are welcome.

This indicated that from the 42 regional ones they will continue to accompany the most vulnerable communities in the territories to achieve the guarantee of their human rights.

“We will be attentive to verify in the different territories that the cessation of the armed actions of the illegal armed groups is complied with. We will continue to accompany the peace efforts that the national government has been promoting,” the agency reported.

Of course Petro's announcement generated all kinds of reactions. One of them, that of former presidential candidate Enrique Gómez Martínez.

Gómez Martínez warned that the year begins with a cookout between criminals in which the hands of the Army are tied, moreover, while the ELN, Farc, paramilitaries and drug groups do what they want, the authorities will not be able to act. According to him, it is a story that only benefits criminals.

“More lies on the part of Petro and his henchmen with the said agreement with the Second Marquetalia (Farc), ELN and other narco-criminals. Tying the hands of the Army benefits all the 'businesses' of criminals. We are left in the hands of the worst thugs.

Former Justice Vice Minister Rafael Nieto Loaiza, for his part, emphasized how negative this could be, because, according to him, this could benefit one of the illegal armed groups.

Added to the list of opinions was former Bogotá councilor Hollman Morris, who assured that the Colombian president's announcement is "historic."

For his part, the Minister of Justice, Néstor Osuna, celebrated this novelty: “2023 begins with a bilateral Ceasefire in Colombia. The government's efforts are bearing their first fruits. The commitment is to keep going. Let's go for total peace!”

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The government of Gustavo Petro received strong support for the announcement made by the president regarding the ceasefire with the ELN, the Segunda Marquetalia, the Central General Staff, the AGC, and the Self-Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada.