BTN News: The tense situation in Colombia’s Guaviare department has sparked significant concern within the government as the fate of 60 soldiers, reportedly held by the dissident faction of the FARC known as the ‘Jorge Suárez Briceño’ front, hangs in the balance. On Sunday, the Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, issued a stern warning that the ongoing ceasefire between the government and this faction may be re-evaluated if the soldiers are not released. The ceasefire, which was part of a broader strategy to maintain peace and stability in the region, is now under threat as tensions escalate. Velásquez emphasized that the continuation of the truce is contingent on the group’s commitment to peace talks and the immediate release of the detained soldiers.
The situation in Guaviare has drawn the attention of high-ranking officials, including the Commander of the Armed Forces, Admiral Francisco Cubides, who pointed fingers at the dissident front led by Alexander Díaz, also known as ‘Calarcá’. According to Cubides, the guerrilla forces have coerced local populations into aiding them in detaining the soldiers, further complicating the already volatile situation. The ceasefire, originally extended by three months and set to expire on October 15, was designed to provide a window of opportunity for peaceful negotiations. However, the recent events have cast doubt on the dissident group’s intentions, putting the fragile peace at risk.
The Colombian government had initially announced the end of the bilateral ceasefire with the Estado Mayor Central (EMC) on July 16, citing repeated attacks on civilians and police forces in the southwestern region of the country. Despite this, the ceasefire was maintained with three specific factions of the EMC, including the ‘Jorge Suárez Briceño’ front. These groups were seen as more amenable to negotiations, but the current crisis has brought this assumption into question.
The weekend’s events took a dramatic turn when nearly 100 soldiers were reportedly detained in a rural area of Guaviare. These soldiers were on a mission to conduct security operations aimed at combating dissident FARC forces under the command of ‘Cancharino’, a notorious leader who recently forced local merchants in Meta and Guaviare to shut down their businesses for five days. The detention of the soldiers has raised alarms within the military, with the situation described as a hostage-taking by so-called “campesino guards,” a term used to describe community defense groups that operate in various regions of Colombia.
In response to this crisis, the Colombian Army issued a statement detailing the demands of the “campesino guards,” who have insisted on the presence of several key figures, including the mayor of San José del Guaviare, representatives from the MAPP-OEA (Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia), the United Nations, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Attorney General’s Office. These demands were put forth as conditions for the release of the detained soldiers.
As of the latest reports, the Army confirmed that approximately 40 soldiers had been freed, allowing them to resume their patrol duties in the rural areas surrounding San José del Guaviare. The release of these soldiers, however, has not alleviated the underlying tensions, as the government continues to weigh its options regarding the ceasefire. The future of the ceasefire agreement now hinges on the actions of the dissident group, with the government poised to make a critical decision in the coming days.
The standoff in Guaviare is a stark reminder of the challenges Colombia faces in its pursuit of lasting peace. While the ceasefire was intended to create a conducive environment for dialogue, the recent developments underscore the fragility of the process. The government’s resolve to maintain peace is being tested, and the outcome of this situation could have significant implications for the broader peace efforts in Colombia. As the deadline for the ceasefire extension approaches, all eyes are on the dissident group’s next move and the government’s response to this evolving crisis.
