According to reports, the Colombian government and the "Central Staff", a branch of the former largest rebel armed force "FARC", have reached a three-month agreement on a ceasefire. This agreement was reached on the 16th local time.
According to Reuters, the ceasefire period of the agreement will begin on October 17 local time and last until January 15, 2024. This period is shorter than the 10 months previously proposed by the parties.
According to a synthesis report by The Associated Press and Le Colombian, the ceasefire will be nationwide and will establish a monitoring and verification mechanism composed of representatives of the army, the government, the "Central Staff" and the church. If approved by the UN Security Council, the UN Verification Mission in Colombia could also participate.
In his speech, Colombian President Gustavo Petro said that Colombia wants to send a message of peace through its internal society. "If we kill each other, we cannot send a unanimous and clear message of peace to the world," he stressed. ”
The spokesman of the "Central Staff" urged the population to participate actively and assured that the ongoing dialogue will be a way to de-escalate decades of social, political and economic conflict in Colombia.
Since Petro became president last August, he has changed the attitude of the previous government towards the rebels and actively advocated an end to the civil war and a comprehensive peace.
According to Reuters, the Colombian government has also held peace talks with the National Liberation Army of Colombia, another major rebel armed group, and reached a ceasefire agreement in August this year, which lasts for six months.