Exclusive-At least 40% of Colombia's ELN rebels seen rejecting peace deal-security sources

FILE PHOTO: Pablo Beltran, head of leftist guerrilla group National Liberation Army (ELN), speaks with members of the media in Caracas, Venezuela January 21, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo

BOGOTA (Reuters) - At least 40% of fighters from Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels could reject a potential peace deal being negotiated with the government, three high-level security sources told Reuters, citing reluctance to surrender profits from drug smuggling and illegal mining.

The estimate puts at risk ambitious plans by the country's first leftist leader, President Gustavo Petro, to end Colombia's six-decade war, which has killed 450,000 people, through accords with rebels and criminal groups.