Photo @BrunoRguezP

Havana, August 11 (RHC) -- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla received on Thursday a delegation from the Colombian government that traveled to Havana to begin talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) to resume peace talks.

On a Twitter thread, Rodriguez appreciated the statement made by Colombian Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva, in which he called for an end to the illegitimate designation of Cuba as a State sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. Government.

Rodriguez recalled that the U.S. used as a pretext presence in Cuba of ELN peace delegation, which it welcomed at the request of then President Santos, the ELN, and other actors and that his successor, President Duque, manipulated politically, ignoring acts of State signed under international law.

He added that the unfounded and unjust inclusion of the island in the list by the U.S. government had incalculable humanitarian costs and consequences for Cuba, its economy, and the Cuban people.

The island's top diplomat stressed that Cuba had been a victim of terrorism, including State terrorism. 

Cuba is a peace-promoting country, continued Rodriguez on his Twitter thread, which over the years has contributed in a modest and disinterested way to the search for and achievement of the much-desired and necessary peace for sister Colombia.

Rodrigues took the opportunity to ratify Cuba's unwavering commitment to peace.

"Colombia can count on Cuba's willingness to continue contributing to the achievement. "

"We will continue to support and contribute, together with Norway, to implementing the Peace Agreement with the FARC-EP. Regarding negotiations with ELN, we see an opportunity to resume dialogue and move towards peace. We will be at the service of what both parties request," the Foreign Minister concluded.

The Colombian delegation is headed by Álvaro Leyva and made up of Danilo Rueda, High Commissioner for Peace, and Senator Iván Cepeda, president of the Peace Commission of the Colombian Senate.