The United States and Colombia are “very advanced” in coming to an agreement on the repatriation of convicted FARC leader “Simon Trinidad,” allowing the extradited rebel leader to take part in peace talks, newspaper El Espectador reported Saturday.
The FARC included the senior rebel leader to the team that is formally negotiating an end to Colombia’s 48-year conflict, despite the fact Trinidad is carrying out a 60-year prison sentence in the U.S.
U.S Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jackson on Thursday said Washington is “doing everything we can to support a real and durable peace,” but wouldn’t comment on the FARC’s demand to allow the extradited rebel leader to take part in the talks.
The U.S. have previously allowed extradited leaders of paramilitary organization AUC to take part in Colombian court cases through video conference, but has never allowed to repatriation of a top rebel or paramilitary leader.
According to El Espectador however, plans to repatriate Trinidad and fellow-guerrilla “Sonia” are “very advanced” and the two prominent rebels may be able to leave the U.S. in the weeks after the presidential election held on November 6.
The FARC have long demanded the two prominent rebels to be repatriated.