Colombian government establishes dialogue table with former members of the FARC

In Colombia, the government reached an agreement to establish a dialogue table with former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who did not lay down their arms under the “Total Peace” policy.

Representatives of the umbrella organization Estado Mayor Central (EMC), which did not participate in the November 2016 peace agreement between the state and the FARC, met with the government delegation in Campo de Suárez in the Cauca administrative region.

The parties, who issued a joint statement, did not set a clear date for the negotiations, but agreed to set up a dialogue table in the same place.

In the statement, which states that the parties will meet again on September 17 to determine the date of the negotiation, “The Government will develop the entire legal and political structure for the establishment of a dialogue table with the FARC- PS. International guarantors will accompany this process in the evaluation and follow-up of the commitments and the establishment of the peace negotiation table. The statement was included.

Emphasizing the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of self-defense rights and respecting security measures, the statement said: “The bilateral ceasefire aims to reduce conflict and violence, while also targeting the participation of the society in the dialogue process and minimize risks”. . It was agreed to carry out 8 verification missions in various regions to consider recommendations for the implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). It was said.

THEY NEVER PARTICIPATED IN THE PEACE AGREEMENT

The EMC, which is led by Néstor Gregorio Vera, known as Iván Mordizco, and who never participated in the peace agreement, is also known as the so-called “Estado Mayor” of the FARC.

EMC, which has more than 3,500 members, 2,180 of whom are armed, according to the country’s press, is present in western, central and eastern Colombia, as well as Venezuela and Ecuador, providing financing through drug trafficking, smuggling and extortion.

The peace agreement that ended more than 50 years of conflict with the FARC was signed by then-Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and former FARC leader Rodrigo Londoño on November 24, 2016 at the capital’s historic Teatro Colón, Bogota.

Despite the peace agreement between the State and the FARC, some former commanders and members of the FARC who are in conflict with the organization continue with their armed actions. (AA)