Peace negotiations between the Colombian government and guerrilla group FARC will move to the Cuban capital of Havana a day later than expected, reported local media Sunday.
A preparatory meeting for the formal phase of the peace process between the two warring parties will commence Tuesday in Havana, a day later than originally planned. The delay was announced through an email sent by deputy FARC negotiator Bernardo Salcedo.
After formally inaugurating the peace talks on October 18 in Oslo, Norway, senior negotiators agreed to continue the dialogue in Cuba on November 15. A preliminary meeting was also set for November 5. The purpose of the latter gathering was primarily to determine the logistics of talks, rather than debate the substantive issues on the agenda.
Representatives of the president’s administration began “exploratory talks” with the FARC in February regarding a negotiated end to Latin America’s longest-running armed conflict.
The advancements made between top-level representatives of the government and FARC have occurred against a backdrop of violence attacks and military escalation.
Over the past week, the armed forces have accused FARC of killing ten people and injuring dozens more in four separate attacks across the country. Moreover, the government has confirmed an increase in military personnel and funding for the coming new year.