Colombia’s Marxist FARC rebels have suspended a ceasefire agreement. The group said it lifted the truce after government troops killed a group of
Colombia’s Marxist FARC rebels have suspended a ceasefire agreement.
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The group said it lifted the truce after government troops killed a group of FARC fighters.
The bombing raid and ground combat killed 26 rebels at their jungle camp in Cauca where the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) has a strong presence.
“We deplore the attack by the air force, army and police,” the FARC said in a statement. The ceasefire has been in place since December 2014.
Minutes before the rebel statement, President Juan Manuel Santos urged the group in a televised address to accelerate the pace of the peace talks. He encouraged an end to the “spiral of violence, hate and vengeance” and praised the armed forces for their efforts.
Peace talks to end a conflict that has killed more than 220,000 people and displaced millions began at the end of 2012. Some progress had been reached.
Friday’s attack was one of the deadliest confrontations since the two sides started negotiations.