Bogota, August 20 (RHC)-- Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Saturday that he authorized the reinstatement of protocols with the leaders chosen as negotiators of the National Liberation Army (ELN), as well as the suspension of arrest and extradition warrants against them.

The announcement came after a security council meeting in the municipality of San Pablo (Bolivar department).  President Petro signed the corresponding decree this Friday, in an attempt to resume with the paramilitary forces the peace dialogue, which is expected to take place in Havana.

"By decree, signed yesterday, I have authorized to reinstate the protocols, to allow negotiators again, to allow them to reconnect with their organization, to suspend arrest warrants to those negotiators, to suspend extradition orders to those negotiators, so that a dialogue can begin with the National Liberation Army, so called, to try to build the road, hopefully fast and expeditious, where this organization ceases to be an insurgent rebel guerrilla force in Colombia," declared the president.

"I invite those who are part of the so-called self-defense groups to start a similar path and jointly deliver this region to peace and the life of its own members, if they are minors, to society, if they are of age, to the peaceful existence in the territory or anywhere in the country."