Key facts
- Two police officers, Esley Hoyos and Yordin Fabián Pérez, were released by Colombia's ELN rebels after being held for nearly a year.
- The release occurred days before Colombia's presidential election, which features candidates with differing approaches to peace talks with rebel groups.
- The ELN had put the officers on trial internally for espionage and committing crimes against humanity.
- The ELN announced a ceasefire with the military from June 20 to June 23 and pledged not to interfere in the election.
- The ELN is also holding two Colombian prosecutors hostage, whom the human rights defender's office urged the group to release.
Two police officers held hostage for nearly a year by Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) were released on Tuesday, days before the nation's presidential election. The ELN, the country's largest remaining rebel group, had kidnapped officers Esley Hoyos and Yordin Fabián Pérez in July 2025 while they were investigating crimes against community leaders in Arauca province. The rebels claimed to have put the officers on trial for espionage and committing crimes against humanity.
President Gustavo Petro initiated peace talks with the ELN in 2022, but suspended them last year following a series of attacks that displaced over 56,000 people. The upcoming presidential election features candidates with differing stances on continuing negotiations with rebel groups. Conservative lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella advocates for a more combative approach and has promised to cancel peace talks, while Senator Iván Cepeda supports continuing negotiations if rebel groups respect the rights of those in controlled areas.
The ELN also announced a temporary cessation of operations against the Colombian military from June 20 to June 23 and pledged not to interfere in the election. Critics argue that ceasefires have been used by groups like the ELN to rearm and consolidate their influence in rural areas through illicit activities such as taxation, drug trafficking, and illegal mining. The ELN is also holding two Colombian prosecutors hostage, prompting the human rights defender’s office to urge their release and state that no armed group has the authority to judge or sentence individuals.