FARC Leader Killed In New Military Attack

Edited by Ivan Martínez
2015-05-26 12:26:20

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Bogota, May 26 (teleSUR-RHC)-- A commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was killed by a military attack on Monday, just hours after the guerrilla group’s negotiator announced that the government airstrikes represented a “setback” for peace talks. Commander Roman Ruiz was killed along with four other rebels after government forces bombed their position in the Choco region, Reuters reported.

In response to the airstrike earlier this month that killed 26 guerrillas earlier this month, the FARC has suspended a unilateral cease-fire that it had sustained for five months. The rebels had implemented their unilateral cease-fire in order to accelerate the peace process and reduce the intensity of confrontations but repeatedly called on the Colombian state to implement a bilateral cease-fire.

“The Colombian people demand peace. Santos was re-elected for a second mandate so he could achieve peace. Our peace delegation was sent by all the guerrillas in the country for the same objective,” said FARC negotiator Pablo Catatumbo at the peace talks in Havana on Monday.

“This is the wrong path and it is obvious that peace will never be reached by escalating the conflict.”

In reference to statements made by Colombian authorities and media outlets, Catatumbo criticized the portrayal of the fallen guerrillas as “villains” who were “neutralized,” in contrast to government soldiers killed in combat who are characterized as “heroes.”

The Colombian government resumed bombing raids on rebel camps after a clash with the FARC killed 11 soldiers in April. The FARC also reiterated its demand for a bilateral ceasefire, a demand echoed by several Colombian politicians.



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