FARC passage in Colombia: ceasefire reached

In Colombia, the government reached an agreement with former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who did not lay down their arms, for a bilateral ceasefire, effective October 8.

Representatives of the umbrella organization Estado Mayor Central (EMC), which did not participate in the peace agreement between the state and the FARC in November 2016, met with the delegation representing the government in the rural area of ​​Suárez in the administrative region of Cauca. . The parties, who have been negotiating since September 17, agreed to a bilateral ceasefire agreement that is expected to last 10 months and begin on October 8.

The president of the Peace Delegation, Camilo González, who participated in the negotiations with EMC, stated in the statement that a “historic leap” was made and said: “This is the first time that such a period of time has been mentioned in relation to with the ceasefire”. “Peace is not just about signing a document; the important thing is to live in peace in regions where the effects of war are most intense,” he said.

According to the country’s press, the EMC, which has more than 3,500 members, 2,180 of whom are armed, is present in Venezuela and Ecuador, as well as in western, central and eastern Colombia.

The peace agreement, which ended more than 50 years of conflict with the FARC, was signed by 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 their armed actions.

The Government, which maintains negotiations with armed groups within the framework of the “Total Peace” policy, signed a “temporary bilateral ceasefire agreement for 180 days” with the National Liberation Army (ELN), the largest armed rebel organization from the country. on June 9. (AA)