Following congressional approval of a peace deal with Marxist FARC rebels , the 180-day demobilization and disarmament process of Colombia’s oldest and largest guerrilla group begins Thursday.
In their peace agreement, the government and the former guerrillas agreed to a strict timeline that should secure the FARC’s full demobilization and disarmament before April 30 next year.
On Thursday, instructions will emerge for the FARC to move from their pre-grouping zones to the respective demobilization areas.
According to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, in the next five days the transfer to demobilization zones will begin.
First the FARC’s tactical units will present a list of fighters and weapons assigned to be demobilized in each zone.
As in the original plan, militia members who live with their families rather than in a FARC camp, but have weapons, will demobilize on D-Day plus 7, or next Thursday.
All the former FARC fighters will be in these areas by December 30.
President Santos added that the disarmament process will develop over “D-Day plus 30, plus 60, plus 90, up to 150” at