The Colombian armed group Comuneros del Sur has handed over war materiel and signed two agreements with President Gustavo Petro, marking a historic moment in the country’s peace process. Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez announced at a ceremony in Pasto that the group has surrendered land mines, grenades, and rockets to an army unit for destruction.

Royer Garzon, a leader of the group, stated that they believe armed struggle is obsolete and that there are new times and needs, refusing to return to war. This move paves the way for the disarmament and reintegration of approximately 300 Comuneros del Sur rebels into civilian life.

Until May, Comuneros del Sur was a part of the National Liberation Army (ELN), which is still fighting against the Colombian government. The group’s split from the ELN and subsequent peace talks with the Petro administration angered ELN leadership and hindered negotiations between the ELN and the government.

Colombia signed a peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2016, resulting in over 13,000 fighters laying down their arms. However, the FARC’s withdrawal has left a power vacuum in rural areas, and smaller groups have attempted to fill it. Petro’s government is now struggling to provide security in these areas, where various groups fight over drug trafficking routes and resources.

Peace talks with multiple rebel groups and drug trafficking gangs have largely failed to reduce violence, and only the Comuneros del Sur have agreed to transition to civilian life.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/colombian-rebel-group-begins-handing-over-arms-to-government/a-72151906?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf