“I think the deterioration of the FARC is irreversible, there is no way back,” Santos said in an interview during a visit to Russia. “…If it were not for the hostages which they hold, they would not exist as a factor.”Colombian President Álvaro Uribe’s popular right-wing government believes it has broken the FARC’s back after the rebels lost three key commanders this year, including their legendary leader Manuel “Tirofijo” Marulanda.Labeled a cocaine-trafficking terrorist group by the United States and the European Union, the FARC still hold scores of hostages in jungle camps including a French-Colombian politician and three Americans.Santos said the rebel army, which once numbered more than 17,000, could no longer expect the generous amnesty offers it rejected in past negotiations during the 1980s and 1990s if it came to the table again to talk peace.“Today amnesties and pardons are absolutely impossible, among other things because…the war crimes which they have committed are unforgivable and have international jurisdiction,” he added.President Uribe told Caracol Radio Thursday he is still open to talk peace with the FARC.
