The government claims that following the death of FARC leader “Alfonso Cano” earlier this month, 55 of the guerrillas closest to him have surrendered, newspaper El Espectador reported Tuesday.
Colombia’s Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon said that the guerrillas have deserted in order to benefit from the plan offered by the government to demobilize nationwide.
“We have seen that a significant number of FARC members decided to demobilize after Operation Odysseus; there are about 55 of them, the majority having spent more than 10 years in this illegal group,” Pinzon informed.
He also noted that the FARC are going through tough times, warning that Colombia’s military will remain resolute in operations against the guerrillas, now commanded by 52-year old “Timochenko.”
“We will never have a triumphalist attitude, nor arrogant; we are cautious and respectful, but at the same time, law enforcement will continue to be resolute and strong,” the defense minister announced.
Pinzon stressed the importance of guerrilla demobilization, saying that it is time to “restart, and stop living with terrorism and crime.”