The president of a peasant’s association categorically rejected recorded conversations suggesting the FARC has infiltrated the National Peace Congress.
Pablo Antonio Tellez, president of the Peasant’s Association of Catatumbo, said that they are malicious accusations meant to discredit the objectives of the event in the eyes of the public. “The community knows very well that this is a peace congress and that those who are participating in it are civilians,” said Tellez.
Caracol Radio reported early Friday that it had access to four intercepted conversations between the alleged FARC boss of the Central Joint Command and a colleague about how to infiltrate the National Peace Congress. The wiretaps and other communications are now being analyzed by the authorities.
In one of the conversations between the alleged members of the FARC, which took place between July 20 and August 2, the logistics of the event were discussed, the two people said that they are able, but there were doubts about the date.
In another conversation, they said they are bringing several people from seven different departments whom they will have to feed. In a subsequent wiretap they are heard saying the FARC will intervene in the event.
The National Peace Congress starts Friday and ends Sunday August 14. Ten thousand people indigenous, peasant and afro-Colombians communities from around the country are expected to attend the conference in Barrancabermeja in the northeast department of Santander. The conference is to address issues such as national peace policies, the victim’s law, development, and natural resources.