Colombia: “Unilateral” ceasefire by FARC dissidents after negotiations with the government

The splinter group of the former FARC guerrillas, known as Segunda Marquetalia, has agreed to a unilateral ceasefire and to release those it is holding captive, following the first round of negotiations with the Colombian government on Saturday in Caracas, according to a joint statement from the government and the rebel group.

A “unilateral ceasefire of the Segunda Marquetalia-EB (Ejercito Bolivariano, Bolivarian Army)” was agreed, which commits to the “release of the people it detains,” according to the document signed by the government’s chief negotiator, Armando Novoa, and that of the Segunda Marquetalia, Walter Mendoza. The date of entry into force of the ceasefire is not specified, but the text specifies that “the full implementation of the de-escalation will begin as soon as the presidential decree on offensive military operations comes into force.”

A “calendar for the identification of social and economic projects”

The statement clarified that “the unilateral ceasefire of the Second Marquetalia-EB does not imply the limitation of the constitutional and legal powers of the security forces.” The rebel group also pledged “not to remain armed or in uniform” in “urban centers” and “land and river routes.”

A meeting in Tumaco, Nariño (western Colombia) will take place between the two parties “no later than July 20” to present the “de-escalation” agreement, as well as to define “the timetable for the identification of social projects and economic. It was also agreed to create a “technical subcommittee” composed of both parties in order to establish a “geo-census of municipalities, cantons and villages” where the group is present.

Peace negotiations between the Colombian government and the Segunda Marquetalia, with seven delegates from the government and seven from the guerrillas, began Monday in Caracas. Among the rebels present was Ivan Marquez, the pseudonym of the former number two of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) when the guerrillas signed the 2016 peace agreement to become a political party.

More than 1,600 fighters, according to military intelligence

Luciano Marin, his real name, was the FARC’s chief negotiator. He remained in the process for a few years after the signing of the historic 2016 agreement before defecting and announcing a new armed revolution in 2019. This is his first public reappearance since local media speculated last year about his death. On May 11, he reappeared, but in a video, expressing his support for the proposals of President Petro’s government.

The government and Segunda Marquetalia announced the opening of this dialogue in February. The Second Marquetalia has more than 1,600 fighters, according to military intelligence estimates. It is the second largest ex-Farc dissident group after the Central Staff (EMC).

President Petro, the first leftist to come to power in Colombia in 2022, himself a former member in his youth of a far-left guerrilla group (the M-19), has committed to ending six decades of armed conflict through dialogue and has since been negotiating with most of the country’s armed organizations.

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