12 Colombia conflict victims travel to Cuba to attend FARC peace talks

(Photo: El Pais)

The first delegation of victims of Colombia´s armed conflict traveled to Cuba on Friday, where they will partake in the negotiations between FARC and the government. 

The United Nations released the names of the first delegation of victims to take part in the Havana peace negotiations on Friday, as the peace talks between the government and the FARC enter their 27th round, according to a UN press statement.

MORE: First group of victims selected to participate in Colombia peace negotiations

The delegation is the first of five groups of victims that will join the reparations discussion. Ultimately, 60 civilians who are victims of FARC, government, and paramilitary attacks will participate in the negotiations.

Among other attendees are Alfonso Mora, father of a FARC member who was killed in the  1996 Mondoñedo slaughter, when six alleged guerrillas were tortured and killed.  In April, the Colombian government was found materially responsible for the crimes, which were discovered to be committed by police officers.

MORE: State Council Finds Colombia Responsible In 1996 Massacre

Also present will be Leyner Palacios, who leads families of the Bojaya slaughter. In 2002,  79 civilians were killed when they sought refuge in a church during a confrontation between the FARC and the paramilitaries. The FARC launched a cylinder bomb which killed the civilians.

MORE: Authorities arrest Boyaca massacre suspect

Full list delivered by the UN

Angela Maria Giraldo
Sister of Francisco Javier Giraldo, deputy in Valle, kidnapped and killed by the FARC.

Alfonso Mora Leon
Father of a FARC militia killed and tortured during the Mondoñedo slaughter in 1996. He is considered a victim of the state.

Constance Turbay
Several family members were killed by the FARC. Her brother Rodrigo Turbay Cote was killed in captivity.

Débora Barros
Indigenous Wayuu woman whose family members  were killed in the slaughter in Portete Bay, Guajira, committed by the paramilitaries. She is also a victim of displacement.

Jaime Peña
Father of one of the 32 young people missing and murdered by paramilitaries in Barrancabermeja in May 16, 1998.

Janeth Bautista
Sister of Erika Bautista, who disappeared on August 30, 1987 after being forced into a car. Her family searched for her for three years, until an army sergeant confessed the whereabouts of the corpse.

Jorge Vasquez
Displaced and threatened by FARC in 2001.

Jose Antequera
Son of slain political leader of the Atlantic Coast, Jose Antequera. His father was killed at the El Dorado airport in 1989. Victim of the paramilitaries.

Leyner Palacios
Leader of the families of the victims of the slaughter Bojaya in 2002, where 79 civilians were killed when they sought refugee in a church. Amidst a confrontation between the FARC and the paramilitaries, FARC launched a cylinder bomb which killed the civilians.

Luz Marina Bernal
Mother of Fair Porras, a 26-year-old mentally disabled woman who was found dead in a mass grave. It is one of the cases known as ‘false positives’ carried out by the army.

Maria Eugenia Cruz
Victim of rape and displacement for her work as a women’r rights advocate. Perpetrator unknown.

Nelly Gonzalez
Mother of Lieutenant Alfonso Rodriguez, post commander in Cauca. The Lieutenant was killed by the FARC in 2001.

Sources

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