Colombian president rejects possible exchange with ELN — The Rio Times
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella on September 17, 2026, rejected the possibility of exchanging people held by the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group for imprisoned members of the group. This concerns three police officers and a civilian captured on August 17 on the Ocaña–Cúcuta road in the Norte de Santander department. According to The Rio Times, the president said there would be no exchange and that the lives and freedom of Colombians are not negotiable.
De la Espriella also ordered intensified military and police operations against the ELN and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the four people being held.
Who is being held by the ELN
According to the publication, those captured include DIJIN unit Major Fredy Alexis Russi González, Patrol Officer Erika Tatiana Monroy Hurtado, Patrol Officer Edinson Yesid Medina Traslaviña, and civilian Angie Jácome. DIJIN is a unit of Colombia’s National Police that handles judicial investigations.
In a statement dated September 17, the ELN confirmed that it is holding the four people and said they are in good condition. The group also released proof that they are alive. At the same time, the ELN did not publish a list of prisoners, the number of people, or other specific terms of a possible exchange: the statement mentioned such an option only as a possibility.
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Talks suspended
On September 11, 2026, de la Espriella announced the suspension of dialogue with the ELN inherited from the government of his predecessor, Gustavo Petro. The president called the process a “false peace.” According to The Rio Times, the negotiation platform with the ELN had already been suspended under the Petro administration because the group had not demonstrated a commitment to peace.
On September 15, Colombia’s military, police, air force, and prosecutor’s office freed eight people whom, according to Infobae, the ELN had held for nearly two years. The operation took place in a rural area of the municipality of Convención in the Catatumbo region near the border with Venezuela.
Founded in 1964, the ELN is a Marxist rebel group. Research organization InSight Crime describes it as Colombia’s last guerrilla insurgent group and estimates its strength, including fighters and support networks, at approximately 6,300 people.
