FARC recommits to unilateral ceasefire

FARC guerillas.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) will continue its unilateral cease-fire, as long as the Colombian armed forces suspends all military operations against it, TeleSUR English said on April 20.

FARC representatives made the commitment at peace talks in Havana with the Colombian state, which aim to end the decades-long civil war that has wracked the South American nation.

FARC spokesperson Pablo Catatumbo, also demanded the creation of a supervisory body to monitor the cease-fire and called on the armed forces to refrain from attacking rebel positions.

Catatumbo criticised those who are trying to interrupt the peace process via military attacks against the FARC. He insisted on the need for the government to open up the files in relation to the conflict to “vindicate the movement of the victims of the civil war”. The 50-year-old conflict has left more than 220,000 people dead, and millions of victims displaced.

Tensions between the government and FARC have been high due to a clash between the Colombian military and FARC rebels in the southern region of Cauca, in which 11 soldiers and two rebels were killed. Catatumbo said the clash was started by the military, with FARC acting in self-defence.

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