Colombia’s largest rebel group FARC has broken its unilateral ceasefire attacking soldiers in the southwest of the country, the Colombian army claimed Tuesday.
A Colombian Army general told newspaper El Tiempo that two rebels in the rural municipality of Caloto, Cauca, detonated a minefield after luring soldiers to approach using white banners.
Following the alleged attack, fighting between army and guerrillas broke out in the municipality, a hotbed of FARC rebels, other media reported Wednesday.
If the army claims are true, the FARC broke their unilateral ceasefire within 24 hours after it commenced.
Clashes between guerrillas and army forces taking place before the FARC called the ceasefire has caused the displacement of at least 200 civilians, local media reported.
Caloto’s mayor stated that the situation was most critical in the village of Huasano.
Combat between the FARC and army ensued after FARC had announced a unilateral ceasefire on Monday. For its part, the government rejected a bilateral ceasefire while the FARC maintained that they would defend themselves if attacked.
Meanwhile in Cuba, delegations from both the FARC and the Colombian government continue the peace process that reconvened this week.