Colombia: FARC dissidents negotiate ‘unilateral’ ceasefire with government

The former FARC guerrilla splinter group “Segunda Marquetalia” has agreed to a unilateral ceasefire and the release of those held captive following a first round of negotiations with the Colombian government in Caracas on Saturday, according to a joint statement from the Colombian government and the rebel group.

The two sides agreed on a “unilateral ceasefire by the Bolivarian Army” and promised to “freely release those detained,” according to the document signed by the chief negotiators of the Bolivarian Army government Armando Novoa and Segunda Marquetalia Walter Mendoza. The effective date of the ceasefire was not specified, but the text stated that “the full implementation of de-escalation operations will begin after the entry into force of the presidential decree on offensive military operations.”

“Determine the calendar of social and economic projects”

The statement clarified that “the unilateral ceasefire of the Second Marquitalia-EB does not mean the limitation of the constitutional and legal powers of the security forces.” The rebel group also pledged “not to remain armed or wear uniforms” in “urban centers” and “on land and river routes.”

The parties will meet “no later than July 20” in Tumaco, Nariño (western Colombia) to present a “de-escalation” agreement and to define “a timetable for the definition of social and economic projects”. . The parties also agreed to create a “technical subcommittee” composed of both parties to carry out a “geographical census of municipalities, states and villages” in the area where the group will be located.

Peace talks between the Colombian government and the Second Marquitalia began on Monday in Caracas with seven government representatives and seven other guerrillas. Among the rebels present was Ivan Marquez, the former No. 2 in the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) when the guerrillas signed the 2016 peace deal and became a political party.

According to military BroadCast Unitedligence, there are more than 1,600 fighters

Luciano Marin, his real name, was the chief negotiator for the FARC. After signing the historic agreement in 2016, he stayed in the process for a few years before defecting in 2019 and announcing a new armed revolution. This was his first public appearance since local media speculated about his death last year. On May 11, he reappeared, but in a video expressing support for the proposals of President Petro Petro’s government.

The government and the Segunda Marquetalia announced the launch of talks in February. Military BroadCast Unitedligence estimates that the Segunda Marquetalia has more than 1,600 fighters. It is the second largest former FARC dissident group after the Central Staff (EMC).

President Petro, the first leftist to come to power in Colombia in 2022 and a former member of the far-left guerrilla group M-19 in his youth, promised to end the six-year armed conflict through dialogue and has since negotiated with most of the country’s armed groups.

AFP

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