The FARC, Colombia’s largest rebel group, have written a letter of admiration and support to Colombia’s World Cup soccer team before they take to the pitch against Greece on Saturday.
From Havana, Cuba where the FARC peace delegation is currently negotiating with the Colombian government on an overall peace agreement, the leaders of the rebel group took the time to write an open letter on their website to the Colombian soccer team on Tuesday.
“In the name of every FARC guerrilla, today in talks to achieve peace with social justice for all, [we] reiterate our admiration for each step taken to arrive to Brazil, and we we raise our hopes for new triumphs that will bring happiness to every fellow patriot.”
MORE: Colombia’s line-up for the 2014 World Cup
The rebel group is currently in peace talks with the Colombian government to end a civil war that has lasted over 50 years.
MORE: FARC formally admits responsibility for victims of Colombia conflict
The FARC also quoted Uruguayan writer Eduardo Galeano when he said, “Soccer and nationalism are always bound together and politicians and dictators frequently experiment with both identities.”
Despite this brief critique of soccer, the guerrillas’ letter goes on to say, “We have the dream that soccer, with its path of respect and tolerance, can in this period, bless us with a moment of joy and entertainment that calms tempers and helps find the path of reconciliation.”
The letter ends saying “in the words of James Rodriguez, ‘there are dreams, that can be reached with humility and effort. We will try to go as far as possible,’ and we hope that the best dreams and most effort will be for peace in Colombia. With people on the team, we are sure we will go far.”
The letter is signed by the “FARC Peace Delegation.”
Sources
- A la selección Colombia (FARC website)
