BOGOTA — Colombia’s largest remaining rebel group has acknowledged its role in the death of an indigenous leader in violation of a month-old cease-fire, raising tensions in peace talks with the government that are already mired in doubt. It also called on the group known as the ELN to take concrete steps to guarantee such incidents aren’t repeated. He was the 11th indigenous leader slain this year in Colombia, according to human rights groups. The ELN’s western front said in a statement that it had detained Isarama for allegedly being an informant for military intelligence. After years of exploratory talks, peace negotiations with the ELN began in February following an agreement with the much-larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Source: National Post October 30, 2017 16:04 UTC