UPDATE - Colombia Lifts Suspension Of Arrest Warrants Against ELN Members In Wake Of Bogota Attack

MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th January, 2019) The Colombian government has rescinded the suspension of arrest warrants against 10 leaders of the rebel National Liberation Army (ELN), engaged in peace talks with the authorities, Colombian President Ivan Duque said, asking Cuba, which hosts the talks, to help Bogota capture the negotiators, in the wake of the deadly police school attack in the Colombian capital.

On Thursday, a bomb-laden car broke through a checkpoint near the police academy building and exploded on its premises. According to the latest data, 21 people were killed and nearly 70 others injured in the incident. The authorities announced a three-day mourning period in light of the deadly attack, blaming it on the ELN.

"I have ordered to remove the suspension of the arrest warrants for 10 ELN members who are part of the [rebel] delegation at the peace talks," Duque said in an address to the nation, which was aired in Periscope.

The president also asked other states not to support the ELN members and urged the rebel group to release all the hostages and cease its criminal activities.

Reacting to Duque's request, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Havana would observe the rules of the peace dialogue between the Colombian government and the ELN.

"[The Cuban Foreign Ministry] will fully abide by the Peace Dialogue Protocols signed by Colombian gov. & ELN, including the Protocol in Case of Breakdown of Negotiation. It is holding consultations with Parties & other guarantors. Cuba reiterates its condolences to Colombia," the diplomat wrote in Twitter.

ELN is the second largest rebel group in Colombia after the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The group has been engaged in on-and-off talks with the government since 2017.