An armed group of former FARC guerrillas in Colombia, called EMC, has announced that it is ready to start peace talks with the government next month. The group rejected a peace deal in 2016 that led to the disarming of FARC. The announcement was made by the group’s leaders in the country’s rural south. EMC has about 3,000 fighters mainly operating in the Amazon, on the Pacific coast and near the border with Venezuela. The group hopes to eradicate the causes of the conflict and build a roadmap for “total peace” in Colombia.
The government of leftist President Gustavo Petro has not officially announced talks with EMC, nor proposed a date. The president has pursued negotiations with FARC dissidents and other armed groups since he came to power last August with plans to bring “total peace” to Colombia. At his initiative, a six-month ceasefire has been in place with FARC dissidents and other armed groups since January 1. However, fighting has continued between various groups of left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and traffickers vying for control of drug and illegal mining resources.
EMC leaders have been meeting on a farm in the southern San Vicente del Caguan region since April to plot a strategy for peace negotiations. This included consultations with local communities under EMC control and members of the allied so-called “farmers’ guard.” The announcement by EMC has been welcomed by thousands of sympathizers who live in EMC-controlled areas.
The government suspended its truce with the Gulf Clan, the country’s largest drug cartel, in March after attacks on civilians and uniformed personnel. Colombia’s opposition frequently criticizes President Petro for concessions he is willing to make to armed and criminal groups for peace.
