Marquez video points to Colombia peace failings
Former FARC commander Ivan Marquez has slammed the government’s handling of the group’s peace process
Former commander and peace negotiator of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) Ivan Marquez released a video on Friday, accusing the government of betraying the terms of the FARC's 2016 peace deal and failing to protect former guerrillas. Marquez -- who went into hiding last year amid drug trafficking investigations -- stressed his commitment to peace but said it was a mistake to lay down arms before securing an agreement on the reintegration of former rebels, noting that 85 former FARC members and 400 social leaders have been murdered since 2016. The UN has expressed concern about such killings in recent weeks, urging the government to protect vulnerable figures. Government post-conflict adviser Emilio Archilo questioned Marquez's ability to speak on behalf of former rebels, saying thousands still see the peace process as an opportunity to go straight.
Our judgement
Marquez's remarks will further undermine faith in the peace process at a time when the government is facing international scrutiny and many former rebels are returning to arms. That trend will see the death toll of 'disarmed' rebels rise. While that will exacerbate concerns within FARC circles, ongoing killings of social leaders will cripple peace process implementation.
See COLOMBIA: Social leader killings threaten security - February 22, 2018