Colombian political party FARC warns peace at 'most critical point' after leader arrested

Edited by Pavel Jacomino
2018-04-10 15:50:32

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Ivan Marquez of the political party of FARC speaks during a news conference in Bogota, Colombia April 10, 2018.  Photo: Reuters

Bogota, April 10 (RHC)-- Colombia's peace agreement is at "its most critical point" after the detention of Jesus Santrich, a Congress member-elect representing the recently formed political party Revolutionary Alternative Forces of the Commons, or FARC.  He is reportedly facing extradition to the United States over alleged drug trafficking, the organization's second in command, Ivan Marquez told reporters in Bogota. 

At a press conference Tuesday morning in the Colombian capital, Marquez called on President Juan Manuel Santos to "keep the word pledged" and requested an urgent meeting. 

A day earlier, Colombian authorities arrested Santrich at the request of the United States Embassy in Colombia, accusing him of drug trafficking.  Santrich was a leader in the now disarmed FARC guerrilla movement, and was one of the top negotiators during the 2016 peace process with the Colombian government. 

The accord offers disarmed FARC members sanctuary to not be indicted for crimes committed before the 2016 signing, however, those committed after are subject to a full judicial process.  
 
Ivan Marquez said that the charges against Jesus Santrich are false and were cooked-up by the United States.



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