A Little Dash of Peace

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A splinter group of Colombia’s former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group agreed to a “unilateral ceasefire” this week, an agreement that marks another step toward ending decades of violence in the South American country, Agence France-Presse reported.

Last week, ceasefire talks took place between the Colombian government and the Segunda Marquetalia in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. On Sunday, the two sides issued a joint statement agreeing to the unilateral ceasefire and the release of captives held by the guerilla group.

The deal will take effect when leftist President Gustavo Petro issues a decree to “de-escalate offensive operations,” although it does not specify a precise date.

The two sides are expected to meet in western Colombia before July 20 to unveil the “de-escalation” agreement and to define a timetable for identifying social and economic projects.

Segunda Marquetalia is a dissident faction of the now-demobilized FARC group, which had been fighting the Colombian government since the 1960s. FARC leaders and fighters laid down their arms in 2016 following a historic peace agreement between the group and the Colombian government.

Even so, some fighters rejected the talks, while others such as Segunda Marquetalia launched a new rebellion in 2019.

The agreement marks the latest efforts by Petro to negotiate with Colombia’s armed groups and achieve “total peace.”

However, the Colombian government’s efforts have continued to face obstacles in ending the conflict, including ceasefire violations and internal divisions among rebels.

Currently, authorities are holding negotiations with another rebel group the National Liberation Army, as well as the armed group Estado Mayor Central, another former faction of the FARC that never signed the 2016 agreement, Reuters noted.