Colombia’s Armed Forces Commander Admiral Edgar Cely said Monday that he would step down if his resignation would stop further terrorist acts from the left-wing guerrilla organization FARC.
“If these criminal and terrorist acts end with the removal of commanders, believe me, we the commanders would retire, because Colombia stands above all else,” he told reporters at a press conference.
The commander’s comments were made in response to mounting uncertainty towards his ability to maintain security in light of the recent string of attacks.
Following the press conference, Cely departed for the Colombian department of Cauca, where the FARC attacked several northern villages this past weekend.
The commander and his team will visit the municipalities affected by the incidents, which left six dead and over 70 injured.