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Statement by the Federal Foreign Office on call by former FARC commander for a return to arms
A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (5 September) on the call issued by former FARC commander Iván Márquez for a return to arms:
The German Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the announcement by the former FARC commander Iván Márquez on the foundation of a secret underground political organisation in Colombia. Márquez’ call on 29 August for a return to arms is a clear step in the wrong direction, and the German Government firmly denounces it.
Conflicts cannot be resolved by violence. In the current situation, it is more important than ever to continue working steadily on implementing the peace agreement between the Colombian Government and the FARC. The German Government therefore urges all former FARC combatants to remain on this path and not to heed the call to take up arms again. Germany will continue to do its utmost to support Colombia on the path to peace. The German Government thus expressly welcomes the clear expression of commitment by the FARC Party and its leaders to the peace agreement.
Background information:
Last Thursday (29 August), Márquez and over a dozen other ex-combatants announced that they would take up arms again. However, the vast majority of former FARC combatants is continuing to take part in reintegration measures.