Colombia: FARC Dissidents Between Fighting and Negotiations

Six soldiers were killed and another missing after an attack last Sunday by the FARC splinter group, the EMBF (General Staff of FARC Blocs and Fronts). This guerrilla group, led by Alexander Diaz, alias “Calarca,” claimed responsibility for the attack and produced a video showing guerrillas treating five captured soldiers after the attack in Guaviare province. The EMBF added that it acted in self-defense and was under constant attack from the army, despite ongoing peace negotiations with the government of President Gustavo Petro. The EMBF is a split from the largest FARC dissident organization, the EMC (Central Staff of the FARC). The disagreement centered on peace talks, including a ceasefire with the security forces.

For their part, commanders of the EMBF’s 33rd Catatumbo Front have agreed to concentrate their guerrillas in northeastern Colombia as part of peace negotiations with the government. The agreement to concentrate these fighters in a Temporary Regroupment Zone (ZRT) outside the town of Tibu was made public by President Gustavo Petro yesterday, Saturday. Once established, the ZRT will be protected by security forces, and the institutions will participate in the agreed territorial transformations. Residents of the Catatumbo region will also participate in the peace process, according to the agreement. Talks with the EMBF guerrillas in Catatumbo have apparently accelerated following the ELN offensive launched against them since January.

source: Secours Rouge