Colombia says ELN rebels to take steps to restart peace talks

Colombia's Peace Commissioner Danilo Rueda reads a statement during a news conference in Havana, Cuba, August 12, 2022. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

BOGOTA/HAVANA (Reuters) - Colombia's ELN guerrilla group will take the necessary steps to restart peace talks, the new government's peace commissioner said on Friday.

Newly elected President Gustavo Petro, a former member of the M-19 guerrilla group, has promised to establish "total peace" in Colombia and sent a high-level delegation to Cuba this week to meet with National Liberation Army (ELN) representatives there.