Colombia’s FARC urges peace talks with Bogota

24/09/10 22:54 CET

world news

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The Colombian guerilla group FARC has called for a peaceful solution to its conflict with Bogota but has refused to lay down its arms and surrender.

The latest statement comes a day after the killing of one of its most senior military chiefs, Mono Joyoy. He died following an air strike by the Colombian army on his jungle hideout on Thursday.

Colombia’s recently-elected president Juan Manuel Santos described Joyoy’s death as the biggest blow inflicted on FARC in all its history.

Since coming to power in August, Santos has vowed to maintain a hardline against the leftist rebels.

Security in the Colombian capital has been tightened following the killing, in case of reprisals.
Nevertheless, FARC is at its weakest in decades after an eight year US-backed crackdown to hunt down its chiefs and drive the group into remote mountain areas.

More about: Bogotá, Colombia, FARC

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