Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos promises to not abandon the people of San Vincente del Caguan, where peace talks between FARC and the government ended in failure ten years ago.
Santos held a cabinet meeting Wednesday in the town.
The meeting highlighted the tenth anniversary of the return of the demilitarized zone to government control after its absence from the area for three years.
At the end of the cabinet meeting, Santos told residents that the government would “not abandon the people” of the town amid growing tensions caused by leftist armed groups like the FARC who have increased attacks in the region.
“We came to say that the Colombian Government is keen to help, to work together, all together as we seek the path of reconciliation, the path of progress and the path of peace,” Santos said.
San Vincente Del Caguan was the hub of a demilitarized zone established by former President Andres Pastrana in January 1999. The zone stretched over 16,220 square miles and became a safe haven for the FARC until February 2002 when Pastrana broke off talks. Afterwards, government military personnel returned to the area, but FARC still maintains a strong presence there.