Colombia’s largest rebel group the FARC have allegedly threatened opposition councilors from the former guerrilla safe haven San Vicente del Caguan, reported Caracol Radio.
Councillor Eduardo Cedeño announced that guerrillas had declared him and other councilors military targets as retaliation for their questioning the administration of Mayor Domingo Emilio Perez of the Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA), in the former demilitarized zone, located in southern Caqueta Department.
Cedeño said the politicians had requested government protection and added that it was “not fair for the insurgents to take sides” and offer criticisms for what is good for the municipality.
San Vicente del Cagaun served as a safe haven for the leftist guerrilla group during failed peace talks with the Colombian government between 1998 and 2002 and was where former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt was kidnapped in 2002.
Local media announced Friday that four people were killed, three from the same family, in the nearby Cartagena del Chaira municipality. The bodies were found in a small boat on the Caguan river.