The FARC admits liability for damages caused by the armed conflict

Statement read to the press by its leader “Paul Atrato”. EFE

The FARC yesterday acknowledged the harm caused to civilians and to the Colombian army by the existing armed conflict since 50 years.

“We explicitly recognize that our actions have affected civilians in different times and circumstances throughout of the (armed) conflict,” of a half-century, the guerrillas said in a statement read to the press by its leader “Paul Atrato” in the framework of peace talks in Havana.

The government of Juan Manuel Santos carried out from November 2012 peace talks with the guerrilla in Cuba with the purpose of ending the armed conflict.

“The FARC will assume responsibility in what concerns us,” added Atrato. However, the FARC said yesterday that civilians were not their main target and a policy has never been part of the organization to victimize people.

Colombia’s armed conflict has left 220,000 dead, mostly civilians, and 5.3 million displaced by force, according to official figures.