Guerrillas declare ceasefire during elections in Colombia

TT

Published 22.48

 

Supporters of presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella attend an election rally in Buga, Colombia, Sunday, June 14, 2026. Photo: Santiago Saldarriaga/AP/TT

The Colombian leftist guerrillas have declared a ceasefire ahead of the presidential elections to be held in Colombia next week.

In a statement, the rebel group ELN said it respects citizens' "right to vote freely" and added that it does not want to "threaten any of the candidates or prevent people from voting".

Critics say rebel groups in Colombia have used ceasefires over the past four years to regroup, rearm and strengthen their grip on rural communities.

Meanwhile, the Colombian Defense Ministry accuses the group, which has more than 6,000 fighters in both Colombia and Venezuela, of making money from illegal gold mining and drug trafficking.

Colombia's presidential election is held on Sunday, June 21.