Colombia: Most Powerful FARC Rebel Group Proposes Ceasefire

The most powerful group of defectors from the former rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has proposed to Colombia’s president-elect, Gustavo Petros, that a ceasefire be declared in order to find a “political solution” to the conflict through negotiations.

Her letter, dated July 31, was published yesterday by several media outlets, along with a video showing about twenty men and women in camouflage uniforms and carrying assault rifles.

The group, known as the “Bloque Suroriental” (“Southeastern Block”), which rejects the 2016 peace deal signed between the FARC and the then-government, is proposing a “mutual” ceasefire after the new government takes power. chairman.

This will allow negotiations to begin to find a “political solution to the violence”, she estimates in her letter.

Outgoing Colombian President Ivan Duque announced on July 15 that the military had killed the leader of that FARC rebel group, Nestor Vera, also known by the alias “Ivan Mordisco.”

Gustavo Petros, a former rebel and former senator, who will succeed Mr. Duque on Sunday, has expressed the intention for the country to achieve “complete peace” through agreements with the armed organizations that continue to operate in the country.

With around 2,000 members, the “Bloque Suroriental” is the largest group of FARC defectors in Colombia, according to the INDEPAZ think tank. It is active mainly in the part of the Amazon forest located on the territory of the country, as well as on the border with Venezuela.

The National Liberation Army (ELN), which has around 2,500 members, has also said it intends to negotiate with Mr Petros.

SOURCE: APE-ME