Colombia pressures Cuba to turn over ELN rebel leaders

Colombia continues to pressure Cuba to turn over leaders of the South American nation’s last remaining rebel group who had been on the island for peace talks that have been stifled by the bombing of a police academy that left 21 dead.

The National Liberation Army claimed responsibility Monday for last week’s car bombing, stating the attack against a military installation was a legitimate response to the armed forces’ bombing of a guerrilla camp during a recent unilateral ceasefire.

“It is permissible within the laws of war,” the guerrilla army said in a statement.

High Commissioner for Peace Miguel Ceballos urged Cuba, the host of peace talks that began under the previous president, to capture the group’s leaders, warning that failing to do so would violate international accords.

“The ELN had a great opportunity to show its will for peace,” Ceballos said at a press conference, referring to the group by its Spanish initials. “And it didn’t do that.”

President Ivan Duque asked Cuba to arrest 10 rebel commanders who have been living on the communist-governed island with his permission in hopes of jump-starting stalled peace talks.

Cuba, which condemned the attack, says it is obliged to follow the protocol used by Duque’s predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, allowing the negotiators to leave the island in the event of a rupture in talks.

“We can’t allow those responsible for this terrorist attack to return to the ranks of the ELN and hide from justice in the jungle,” Ceballos said.