After the bombing: Colombia puts pressure on Cuba

After the bomb attack last Thursday, which claimed 21 Dead, are the relations between Colombia and Cuba on the test bench. Cuba does not want to meet the requirement of the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque, ten leading members of the “National liberation army” (ELN), Colombia to extradite. The Cuban foreign Minister said his country adhered to the Protocol of the peace talks, which were initiated under the Duques predecessor Juan Manuel Santos about two years ago. The protocols guarantee the guerrilla leaders, protection to move between Colombia and the venue in Cuba. Duque said that the extradition request is not in the context of the peace talks, but has to be seen as a response to a criminal act against the human rights.

Tjerk Brühwiller

Rapporteur for Latin America with headquarters in São Paulo.

F. A. Z.

Colombia, the ELN, for the attack in the capital, Bogotá, is responsible. As AFP reported on Monday, has referred to the ELN on your website as the author of the assassination. 21 people were killed in the Explosion of an 80-kilogram car bomb in the grounds of a police Academy killed, 68 were injured. Among the dead were the driver of the car, the investigators identified as José Aldemar Rojas, known as the explosives expert of the ELN. Another suspect was arrested. It was the worst bomb attack in Colombia for over 15 years. On Sunday took place in Bogotá and several other cities in protest marches against terrorism. In Bogota, a mass was held to honor the victims, to the President, Duque took part.

hundreds of attacks

Earlier, it was explained Duque the peace talks between Colombia and the ELN. Even before the attack they were on the ice, because the guerrillas refused the request of the Colombian government for the release of all hostages and a cessation of attacks on industrial, military and civilian facilities. Since the beginning of the peace talks two years ago, the ELN, were committed by about 400 plots, as well as nine hostage. Furthermore, 17 people in the violence of the guerrilla, which is classified by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organization.