Coca crop replacement will be part of peace process: Santos

Colombia’s government and FARC are continuing discussions on agriculture as part of peace negotiations, including Colombia’s illicit crop problem, reported local media Friday

The Colombian government’s negotiating team, who are in the peace talks with left-wing FARC guerrillas aiming to bring an end to a 48-year armed conflict, have updated President Juan Manuel Santos on progress in agricultural policy discussions.

“I think we can agree with the FARC that instead of coca crops we can [pursue] alternative development […]. That would fundamentally change everything generated by drug trafficking: the violence and unprecedented corruption,” said Santos, reported by Caracol Radio.

The peace negotiators in Cuba are discussing agricultural policy as the first of five topics the FARC have asked to be on the table. The negotiators are currently on a three-day break.

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