President Juan Manuel Santos on Saturday said that Colombian congressmen will only travel to Havana in order to meet with rebel group FARC when the government deems it appropriate.
The head of state was responding to claims from “Jesus Santrich”, a lead negotiator for the rebel group, who on Friday said that a team of congressmen will fly to Havana on Wednesday in order to outline the details of a proposed referendum on a potential peace accord.
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“The commission of political parties will travel to Havana when the government considers that it is timely and appropriate,” said the head of state through social media outlet Twitter.
President Juan Manuel Santos introduced a bill into Congress last month that would put any agreement reached between the FARC and his government’s negotiators on a ballot referendum in the upcoming national elections next March, where voters would have the ultimate say as to its passage into law.
Congress has yet to vote on the proposal, currently making its way through committee, but the FARC has already come out in strong opposition of a referendum.
In an attempt to argue its case before a vote is held, the FARC extended an invitation last week to congressional leaders, who, after having their visit approved by the Santos government, agreed to participate in a dialogue with the rebel group.
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The government and FARC have been involved in peace talks since November in order to seek a negotiated end to the internal conflict.
While an accord has been reached regarding land reform, no agreements have been made on the issue of the FARC’s political participation, drug trafficking, the practicalities of the end of the armed conflict and the rights of the victims.
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