Alfonso Cano, supreme leader of Colombia’s largest rebel group FARC, said that the guerrillas this year will multiply “actions in every way” in a new-years message released on YouTube Friday.
“In 2011 we will redouble activities in every sense,” Cano said in an almost 13-minute message read from a Macbook Pro.
The FARC leader also called on viewers to pay special attention to Congress that is in debating laws regarding the return of land stolen from farmers by paramilitary forces and the reparation of victims of Colombia’s violent conflict.
According to Cano, the retirn of land to displaced farmers and the reparation of victims — if taken “seriously” by congress, can “contribute to solving the conflict.”
Cano said he would not neglect “for one moment” to “fight for a political solution to the conflict,” but until there is a political soution his organization will “develope the guerrilla war.”
Cano’s video message was published almost at the same time a group of guerrilla tried to attack the southern Colombian town of San Vicente del Caguan, where three soldiers, five guerrillas and one 11-year old girl were killed.
New-years message from FARC commander Alfonso Cano |