The
Colombian government ignored a FARC proposal for a ‘humanitarian exchange’, in spite of the
guerrilla group’s dropped their demand for a demilitarized zone, which has been an
obstacle to negotiations in the past.
The FARC said this weekend it was “ready to exchange prisoners of war and willing to negotiate.” In their statement, the FARC did not mention the demilitarization of an area east of Cali where negotiations could take place. Their previous demand to remove all armed forces from the zone, was the reason for the government to reject talks.
President Álvaro Uribe said Saturday that the government had ruled out the possibility of peace talks with the FARC and affirmed the need for “strength against the guerrillas”, but has not replied directly to the FARC’s proposal.
Members of activist group ‘Colombians for Peace’ and ‘The Colombian Association for Families of Members of the Armed Forces Detained and Liberated by Guerrilla Groups’ have expressed their support of the FARC’s proposal and want the Government to negotiate the liberation of the hostages.
Member of ‘Colombians for Peace’ Carlos Lozano told the media that the FARC does want security guarantees for ‘Pablo Catatumbo’, ‘Carlos Antonio
Lozada’ y ‘Fabián Ramírez’, who the guerrillas proposed as negotiators.