Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the suspension of a ceasefire with a dissident group, formerly associated with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), on Thursday. The group had separated from FARC following a peace agreement with the government in 2016, which ended five decades of conflict. Despite this agreement, some FARC members and new rebel groups continued their activities.
The ceasefire with the government was set to expire this week, and an extension could not be agreed upon in time. Petro emphasized in a statement that the decision does not mark the end of peace negotiations with the group. Both parties now have 72 hours to relocate to secure and protected areas. The ceasefire, in effect since December 2023, had previously been extended multiple times, but was suspended by Petro in 2024 after the group’s attacks on an Indigenous community.
Petro’s government is committed to achieving a “total peace” in Colombia, involving negotiations with various armed groups. However, many of these groups have refused to engage in peace talks with the Colombian government.
The suspension of the ceasefire has been criticized by Leonardo Gonzalez, the director of a non-governmental peace organization, Indepaz, who warned of a significant setback for communities in conflict-affected territories and the potential for a resurgence of hostilities in areas with weak institutional presence.
No immediate reaction was provided by the dissident group.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/colombia-suspends-ceasefire-with-farc-dissident-group/a-72279109?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
