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News > Latin America

Colombia's FARC, Santos Discuss Peace Concerns

  • FARC leader Londoño (C) said the group

    FARC leader Londoño (C) said the group "expressed its concern for the process of reincorporation and the political persecution." | Photo: Twitter @TimoFARC

Published 5 May 2018
Opinion

President Santos said: "The implementation is going well. It has had problems and delays, but it is going well. It has been a great effort and we have to continue it."

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos insists the peace process is "going well" despite the Revolutionary Alternative Forces of the Commons (FARC) reiterating "concern" about political persecution and other problems in the reintegration process.

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In a meeting between FARC leaders, President Santos, United Nations officials, former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica and former Spanish President Felipe Gonzalez, participants discussed the legal insecurity of the new political party, particularly the case of arrested leader Jesus Santrich, who has been on hunger strike since April 9.

In early April, Santrich was captured for extradition to the United States on drug-trafficking charges. The arrest has been criticized by FARC members and supporters of the peace process.

Mujica expressed his concern for Santrich, saying that he has "the impression that there is a powerful force operating against the peace process, and that this is dangerous for Colombia and all of oir America."

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FARC leader Rodrigo 'Timochenko' Londoño tweeted after the meeting that the group had "expressed its concern for the process of reincorporation and the political persecution in different areas."

According to Londoño, the meeting resulted in a report on the group's concerns and demands.

In spite of the concerns, President Santos told reporters: "The implementation is going well. It has had problems and delays, but it is going well. It has been a great effort and we have to continue it."

The arrest of Santrich has called the peace process into question for many, after tense months marked by an uptick in the murder of social leaders, threats and violence against FARC members, and a tight presidential election race which could result in the return of former President Alvaro Uribe's right-wing party.

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