Colombian government suspends ceasefire with FARC-EP dissidents

Bogota, May 22 (RHC)-- Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Monday the suspension of the bilateral ceasefire between the Government and the dissident Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP).

"The bilateral ceasefire that currently existed with this armed group in the departments of Meta, Caquetá, Guaviare and Putumayo is suspended and all offensive operations are reactivated," the president announced through a statement on his networks.  At the same time, the note indicates that these actions "will be carried out with respect for human rights and International Humanitarian Law.  The decision will be effective in the next 72 hours."

The decision was announced after the murder of four indigenous minors in Putumayo belonging to the Guaquira community, who were kidnapped by the dissident Central General Staff of the FARC since last March and killed last week while trying to escape.  However, the Colombian presidency said that in the next hours it will share the names of the members of its delegation for the peace talks with the FARC-EP dissidence in order to "start the dialogue phase in a peremptory manner."

President Petro indicated that the talks will address the strengthening of the cessation of hostilities with a territorial character, as well as transformations with social justice.  At the same time, he added that the communities "historically denied their rights where the State is absent, are pleading for justice and an end to armed violence. We listen to them, they are not alone".

"The Government is not oblivious to their calls, which is why we will not give up working for peace and make a comprehensive presence in all the territories with the communities", the governmental note concludes.

The bilateral ceasefire was announced last December 31, when the head of the Colombian Executive pointed out that the termination of hostilities with five armed groups had been achieved.