The FARC and the government of Colombia resume peace talks

The FARC and the government of Colombia resumed negotiations this Wednesday after overcoming the suspension of the peace process by the capture of a general by the guerrillas, who was released 10 days ago.

“We started today a new round of talks. Thus it is clear that we have left behind the events of the past weeks that generated difficulties” in the peace talks, the government’s chief negotiator told reporters, Colombia’s former vice president Humberto Calle.

Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia, suspended negotiations on November 16 with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), following the capture of General Ruben Alzate.

This thirtieth first cycle of talks will end on December 17 and the target will be the “escalation of the (armed) conflict,” said the parties on December 3, when they agreed to return to the negotiations table.

In addition, they will address the reparation of victims of the half a century armed conflict, which has left 220,000 dead and 5.3 million displaced, according to official figures.