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Aída Avella (L) and Juan Manuel Santos (Image credit: President's Office)
War and peace

Santos admits Colombia state role in 1980s killings of leftist politicians

by Reuters September 16, 2016

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Thursday acknowledged the state’s responsibility in the killing of thousands of members of a leftist political party three decades ago and pledged to prevent such assassinations again.

Santos’ statement comes less than two weeks before he will sign a peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), whose members were killed following a previous peace agreement in the mid 1980s when they formed the Patriotic Union (UP) political party.

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Juan Manuel Santos

Patriotic Union

FARC

Some 5,000 UP members and supporters were killed by right-wing paramilitary groups, often working with state backing.

“That tragedy should never have happened, and we must recognize that the government didn’t take sufficient measures to impede and prevent the assassinations, attacks and other violations even though there was evidence the persecution was taking place,” Santos said during an event where 200 survivors and family members of UP victims were present.


The FARC’s biggest fear: Colombia’s paramilitary groups

As part of the latest peace agreement with the Marxist FARC rebels, the government promised to guarantee them safety once they hand in their arms. The group plans to launch a political party and stand for office.

“I make the solemn commitment before you today to take all the necessary measures and to give all the guarantees to make sure that never again in Colombia will a political organization have to face what the UP suffered,” Santos said.

On Monday, the FARC also apologized for kidnapping thousands of people to fund its half century of conflict with the government.


FARC leaders touring Colombia to beg forgiveness for war crimes

The two sides are gearing up to sign a peace accord to end the war, which has killed more than 265,000 people and displaced millions. Some 17,000 FARC fighters and militia members will be incorporated into society.

After the signing on Septembe 26, the deal will be put to a vote plebiscite on October 2, allowing Colombians to decide whether to accept the accord.

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Helen Murphy; Editing by Leslie Adler)

armed conflictJuan Manuel SantosPatriotic Unionpeace process

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Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion