© REUTERS/ Presidency-Peace Office/Handout via Reuters
On Thursday, Colombia's government and the FARC group signed a ceasefire deal thus putting an end to more than 50 years of hostilities.
Russia welcomes the ceasefire deal between Colombian authorities and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and believes this agreement is a decisive step toward a final peace treaty, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.
"We consider the signing of this important document by Colombian President J. Santos and FARC leader T. Jimenez to be
a decisive, historical step on the path to signing a final peace agreement in the near future, which will put an end to five decades of armed conflict," the ministry said in a statement.
Russia is ready to provide "any necessary assistance," including through the UN Security Council, the ministry said.
On Thursday, Colombia's government and the FARC group
signed a ceasefire deal at an official ceremony held in Havana.
FARC is one of the world's oldest Marxist insurgencies, formed in 1964 when it launched a war to overthrow the government of Colombia and install a revolutionary regime.
The latest effort to end the conflict in Colombia began with negotiations between the two parties in November 2012. Since then, the government and FARC have reached a number of agreements, including a plan to remove landmines, redistribute land to peasants as well as remove fighters under the age of 15 from jungle bases.
Comment: The dirty war in Colombia is just one of many funded and fueled by Western interests and intelligence agencies. For the British role in creating and supporting the culture of torture, rape, and death squads, see SOTT Radio Network's interview with T. J. Coles:
Behind the Headlines: Britain's Secret Wars: Interview with T.J. ColesMore on the deal, from
Katehon:
Terms of the agreement
According to the agreement, after 180 days the rebels would have to completely disarm and return to civilian life, and ordinary soldiers can expect full amnesty. However, for those who have committed serious crimes, there will be a tribunal procedure. It is likely that because of this part, the insurgents will be forced to flee to the forests or to create an autonomous structure, which will refuse to submit to the current leadership of the FARC.
History of conflict
FARC was established in 1964 as the military wing of the local Communist Party. In its ranks are up to 20,000 people. The group acts mostly in remote mountainous areas, carrying out attacks on public infrastructure. FARC is also are suspected of having links to drug cartels. During the years of conflict, which is the longest in Latin America, more than 200,000 people have been killed in Colombia.
There will be no redistribution of land to anybody. Displacement of indigenous will continue apace. Assault on labor organizers or anyone advocating for the poor and landless will continue apace.
The US would never countenance any sort of concession after the investment in Colombia's military and recent trade agreement.
Since the cease fire the number of disappearances and violence perpetrated by govt paramilitaries has increased.