Senator Piedad Cordoba said Monday that she has no intention of entering peace negotiations with guerrillas that could affect the Colombian government’s efforts to settle the nation’s ongoing conflict, reports RCN.
Her comments followed a statement earlier Monday by Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera that the new government will not recognize peace talks or plans with the guerrilla that have not been authorized through official channels.
“We want to clearly express that all non-consulted, uncoordinated, spontaneous initiatives by different political agents in Colombia and outside push further away any possibility of using such a path to achieve peace in Colombia,” Rivera said, in response to Cordoba’s announcement that she will present to regional body UNASUR a peace proposal which includes guerrilla groups the FARC and the ELN, and demobilized paramilitary group the AUC.
Despite the government’s rejection of her plans, Cordoba said Monday afternoon that she would meet with Colombians for Peace, an organization she heads, to develop a final document with a series of proposals which seek to engage the guerrillas in dialogue, which will be submitted to the new Santos administration for consideration.
Cordoba has held meetings with both Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to “advance understanding” and to discuss “important agreements for the two countries.”
In early August, Colombia’s Supreme Court President Jaime Arrubla said the inspector general’s investigation into allegations that Cordoba collaborated with the FARC outside the parameters of her role as a hostage release negotiator, lacked conclusive evidence.
“The doctor Piedad Cordoba was acting on the part of the government,” Arrubla said.
The investigation stems from evidence allegedly found in dead FARC leader “Raul Reyes” files, which the Inspector General’s Office claims suggest that the Colombians for Peace leader was involved in dealings with the FARC.
Cordoba denied the accusations on many occasions, saying that she was being prosecuted for the “crime of opinion,” and that the charges are “persecution,” which “come from the presidency.”