Feature: Former Colombian guerrilla lays out challenge of reintegrating fighters

Edison Ortiz Escobar is a rare figure in Colombia. Fourteen years ago, the former guerrilla fighter for the National Liberation Army (ELN) voluntarily gave up his weapons and individually decided to re-enter civilian life.

In the wake of a peace deal between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Escobar believes that those who have demobilized should be listened to in order avoid any risk of future violence.

"I spent 19 years with the ELN and I do not regret it at all. I fought the Colombian army on multiple fronts. However, laying down the arms was the hardest decision of my life," he told Xinhua.

Prior to his surrender, Escobar was captured by the army during a battle and spent eight years in prison. After escaping, he sought to rejoin the ELN but felt victimized by his commanders and decided to abandon the guerrilla movement.

The ELN, which was formed in 1964, around the same time as FARC, remains active along with smaller armed groups.

"While I changed my weapons for ideas, I stopped being a guerrilla fighter but not a revolutionary. My conviction remains the same, my ideas are still those of the ELN. However, I firmly believe there must be peace, the killing must stop," he added.

According to the National Agency for Reintegration, 53,923 people have demobilized in the past 15 years.

Officially, the country maintains reintegration and reincorporation programs to help former fighters enter society again, providing financial and social support.

However, Escobar said this training is incomplete. According to him, while fighters do receive around 4 million pesos (1,370 U.S. dollars) to begin their life anew, they receive no emotional or psychological assistance.

"It was very difficult for me to live in society after the war. I suffered more here than during the conflict. The ELN educated my children and I learned many things. Here, society rejects us as pariahs, but we have much to offer," he said.

For Escobar, in order for the peace treaty with the FARC to work, the government should use the experience of former fighters to bring a message of peace across the country.

"We have lived through the war and we know fully well what can happen if demobilization programs are not carefully implemented," he said.

However, Escobar is optimistic about the peace process in Colombia and is particularly happy that now the FARC is in the final stages of a peace process, the government is beginning to discuss talks with the ELN, Colombia's second-largest rebel movement.

Peace talks between the Colombian government and the ELN have been expected for several months, but the guerilla group has refused to surrender its remaining hostages, delaying the start of negotiations. Endit