Colombia’s ELN rebels say they will only stop kidnappings for ransom if government funds cease-fire

The head of Colombia’s largest remaining rebel group said on Monday it would only abide by a recent agreement to suspend the kidnappings of civilians for ransom if the government keeps its promise to finance projects that could provide the rebels with alternate sources of income. In a column published on Christmas Day, National Liberation Army commander Antonio García argued that Colombian officials and journalists had misinformed the public on Dec. 17, when they announced that the rebels had agreed to stop kidnappings, if a cease-fire with the government is extended next year. Colombians have grown angry at kidnappings by the guerrillas, known by their Spanish initials as the ELN.