Internal Divisions Threaten Colombia Peace Talks with Rebel Group
YARI PLAINS (Reuters) – The peace negotiations between Colombia’s Estado Mayor Central (EMC) armed group and the government are in jeopardy as a majority of the rebel units have abandoned the talks due to internal divisions, raising concerns about escalating violence and the safety of civilians.
The EMC, formed by former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who rejected the 2016 peace deal, has been facing a crisis for weeks. The government recently suspended a ceasefire partially due to increased violence, and a top rebel leader expressed doubts about reaching a deal during the current presidential administration.
President Gustavo Petro has been striving for peace or surrender agreements to end the country’s 60-year conflict, but challenges persist in negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels.
According to EMC second-in-command Alexander Diaz Mendoza, also known as Calarca Cordoba, internal disagreements have led to some units withdrawing from the talks while others continue to negotiate. The divisions existed before the ceasefire suspension last month, following attacks on civilians and security forces by EMC members.
The absence of some units from the negotiations raises concerns about the potential for increased conflict and humanitarian consequences in regions like Cauca, Narino, and Valle del Cauca. The government remains committed to dialogue, even if it means engaging with dissenting units separately to alleviate the situation for the population.
As the situation unfolds, observers warn that failure to engage all EMC units in dialogue could lead to a significant escalation of violence, underscoring the urgent need for unity in the peace process.
(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Aurora Ellis)