Colombia now open to bilateral ceasefire with FARC

A Farc soldier oversees the release of hostage from a Colombian cocoa plantation. | Photo: Reuters

In a departure from its previous position, the government of Colombia has expressed its readiness to declare a bilateral ceasefire with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

"We are ready to accept a cease-fire, even before the signing of an agreement," said the government's chief negotiator at the peace talks in Havana, Humberto de la Calle.

The top official said the government of President Juan Manuel Santos that it was willing to explore a bilateral cease-fire with the FARC "if it is serious, bilateral, definitive and verifiable," he said.

The Colombian government had previously expressed its opposition to a bilateral cease-fire before the signing of a peace accord.

In a statement issued Saturday, the FARC guerrilla group urged the Colombian government, once again, to reach a bilateral ceasefire.

Peace talks between the government and FARC have been going on for two years in Cuba to end the five-decade-old conflict in Colombia, which has so far killed over 200,000 people and displaced millions.

The government of President Santos has not sought a bilateral cease-fire with the FARC so far out of fears that the guerrilla army, which is Latin America’s oldest rebel group, would strengthen its ranks in the meantime.

In recent months there has been been an increase in hostilities from both sides, putting a strain on the peace process. Partial agreements have been reached at the talks on three of the five agenda points, including land reform, an end to the illegal drugs trade, and political participation for the left-wing guerrillas.

Discussions on reparations for victims, as well as the demobilization of combatants, are ongoing and remain unresolved.

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