Colombia suspends peace talks with FARC after general kidnapped
BOGOTA: Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Sunday suspended two-year peace talks with the country’s largest rebel group, the FARC, as the military investigated the suspected abduction of a general and two others.
“Tomorrow, peace negotiators will be travelling for a new round of talks in Havana,” Santos said at a press conference.
“I will tell the negotiators not to travel, and the negotiations are suspended unti l there is clarification and these people are released.”
The decision to suspend the talks came during an emergency meeting between the president and the top military leaders that was called after the general’s disappearance was announced.
General Ruben Alzate lost contact on Sunday with ground forces in Quibdo in the southwest, where the FARC is active, the president had said earlier.
Also missing were army corporal Jorge Rodriguez and lawyer Gloria Urrego, an official with the army’s Titan task force, operating in the area, Defence Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon added.
“It is totally unacceptable abduction. We have information that gives us certainty that it was the FARC,” Santos said after the emergency meeting.
The president emphasised the FARC would be held responsible for the life and safety of the three hostages and demanded their release “soon.” — AFP