The Colombian government estimates that the ELN is holding 38 people hostage

Colombian Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez confirmed that the National Liberation Army (ELN) militia had kidnapped “about 38” people, after a senior rebel leader, Antonio Garcia, denied that the group had carried out kidnappings. Instead, they claim that they are choosing forms other than deprivation of liberty. During an event with the military in Cundinamarca, Velasquez corrected Díaz to point out that “when this detention is done for economic and extortionary purposes, such as those carried out by the ELN, it is called kidnapping,” Caracol reported. a radio station. . These new contradictions emerged a few days after the start of the fifth round of dialogues in Mexico between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army, within the framework of the “comprehensive peace” strategy promoted by President Gustavo Petro, who is willing to talk to the various armed groups. . The head of the United Nations Human Rights Office in Colombia, Juliet de Rivero, also asked Radio Caracol about the possibility of the formation of “classes” within the hostages, which she considers “unfortunate,” and urged work to “release them all.” He also said in response to Antonio Garcia: “There are no famous kidnappers and unknown kidnappers.”