According to a government negotiator, peace talks between the Colombian government and the largest FARC dissident group have resulted in the rebels suspending kidnappings, releasing 10 hostages, and decreasing clashes with the country’s military in less than three months.
The goal of the government, led by President Gustavo Petro, is to achieve “total peace” in Colombia and bring an end to the six-decade-long internal armed conflict that has caused the deaths of over 450,000 people.
Negotiations between the government and the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), a dissident group of the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), began in October. Both parties agreed to a ceasefire that they plan to extend this month, stated Camilo Gonzalez, the coordinator for the government’s negotiating team with the EMC, in an interview.
Gonzalez proclaimed, “We have important advances during this period,” and mentioned that forced confinements and displacements of civilians by the EMC have also decreased.
However, battles between the EMC and other illegal armed groups in Colombia have intensified as they vie for control of areas used for illicit activities like drug trafficking and illegal mining, Gonzalez explained, adding that “they clash atrociously.”
Gonzalez emphasized the need for regional and multilateral ceasefires to reduce the intensity of the fighting and protect civilian populations caught in the crossfire.
The upcoming round of talks between the government and the EMC is scheduled to take place in Bogota from January 9 to January 20 and will address sensitive issues such as reducing deforestation and respecting the environment.
The negotiations are expected to conclude with the EMC laying down its weapons and indefinitely suspending kidnapping and extortion, according to Gonzalez.
The Colombian government is also engaged in negotiations with the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group, with whom it is observing a ceasefire. However, it has not been able to initiate talks with the Segunda Marquetalia, another FARC dissident faction. Additionally, the major drug-trafficking gang, the Clan del Golfo, rejected an offer of reduced sentences for surrendering.
(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
