Negotiations for peace in Colombia are resumed

Ivan Marquez

Yesterday the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) launched its debate for a political participation with postponing the elections for one year in Colombia and convene a Constituent Assembly, but this proposal was outright rejected by the delegation of the government of Juan Manuel Santos.

The purpose of postponing the presidential election in 2014, is to “put the interests of peace over any other circumstances with the purpose that has called us in La Habana.” As he has done on several occasions, the FARC asked to convene a Constituent Assembly “to find a true solution to the conflict with the decisive participation of the people“, this is according to a statement read to the media by Ivan Marquez, aka Luciano Marín Arango, number two of the insurgency and head of the negotiating delegation.

“We are concerned of that annoying crack of the whip of time and rhythms in government hands that is bugging the dialogue and construction of the agreement,” stated Marquez.

The FARC proposal to postpone the elections was immediately discarded by the delegation of the government, and urged the guerrillas urged to focus on the agreed agenda for the talks.

“Do not be distracted by proposals that contribute little to the clarity, as with the supposed prolongation of the elections. That will not happen, a Constituent Assembly will not occur,” said Humberto de la Calle, head of the government delegation.