The supreme leader of rebel group FARC, “ Timochenko,” on Wednesday published an open letter stating that recent comments made by President Juan Manuel Santos were making the peace process more difficult.
The FARC and the government have been involved in peace talks since November in order to seek a negotiated end to the internal conflict and Timochenko argues that it is comments made by Santos which delay the success of talks.
“The difficulty to reach an agreement lies precisely in the public confessions of Santos,” argued Timochenko.
“Death threats and execution warrants without any kind of judgment do not serve to intimidate, achieve reconciliation or acclimate the necessary environment for peace,” added the rebel leader.
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Timochenko also defended the FARC’s policies, insisting that their demands in Havana are not unreasonable.
“We are not negotiating anything that might worry the Colombian economic or fundamental aspects of our system of government.”
“Colombian guerrillas are not advocating any criminal system of government, nor are we committed to take forward an economic policy that benefits transnational corporations at the expense of the people of our country, unlike Santos. That is the difference.”
Furthermore, Timochenko stressed the commitment throughout the rebel group.
“The fighters and commanders of the FARC are revolutionaries, not motivated by personal interest.”
“We have given our lives to this fight, to end discrimination among men and the exploitation of some by others. We defend the independence and real sovereignty of our country,” added the rebel leader.
While a peace accord between the government and FARC has been reached regarding land reform, no agreements have been made on the issue of the FARC’s political participation, drug trafficking, the practicalities of the end of the armed conflict and the rights of the victims.
Sources
- Cuando morimos descansamos, Santos (FARC-EP)