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Colombia ex-Farc rebel Iván Márquez issues call to arms Colombia ex-Farc rebel Iván Márquez issues call to arms
(about 3 hours later)
A former commander in the Farc rebel group in Colombia, Iván Márquez, has called on his followers to take up arms less than three years after the rebels signed a peace agreement with the government.A former commander in the Farc rebel group in Colombia, Iván Márquez, has called on his followers to take up arms less than three years after the rebels signed a peace agreement with the government.
Iván Márquez appeared in a video in military fatigues and carrying a gun. Iván Márquez appeared in a video and announced that a "new phase of the armed struggle" was beginning.
He announced that a "new phase of the armed struggle" was beginning. He was one of the main negotiators of the peace deal in 2016.
He was one of the main negotiators of the peace deal and his announcement is a heavy blow to the peace process. The Colombian government said it was "a very worrying announcement".
What does the video show?What does the video show?
It shows Iván Márquez reading out a statement in front of a banner saying "While there is a will to fight, there'll be hope of winning".It shows Iván Márquez reading out a statement in front of a banner saying "While there is a will to fight, there'll be hope of winning".
He is surrounded by about a dozen men and women dressed in camouflage. Among them are two other senior former Farc rebels, Jesús Santrich, and the man known as El Paisa.He is surrounded by about a dozen men and women dressed in camouflage. Among them are two other senior former Farc rebels, Jesús Santrich, and the man known as El Paisa.
In his 30-minute-long statement, Iván Márquez says that he called for a return to arms because the Colombian state had "betrayed" the peace agreement he helped negotiate.In his 30-minute-long statement, Iván Márquez says that he called for a return to arms because the Colombian state had "betrayed" the peace agreement he helped negotiate.
"In two years, more than 500 social leaders have been killed and 150 guerrilla fighters are dead amidst the indifference and the indolence of the state," he says referring to the high number of activists and former Farc members killed since President Iván Duque took up office. The Farc's decades-long armed struggle
In the recording, Iván Márquez also says that the new guerrilla group, which carries the old name, Farc-EP (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army), will pursue different tactics. 1964: Set up as armed wing of Communist Party
2002: At its height, it has an army of 20,000 fighters controlling up to a third of the country
2008: The Farc suffers a series of defeats in its worst year
2012: Start of peace talks in Havana
2016: Peace deal signed in November
2017: Farc officially ceases to be an armed group
2019: Former commander Iván Márquez announces "a new phase of the armed struggle"
"In two years, more than 500 social leaders have been killed and 150 guerrilla fighters are dead amidst the indifference and the indolence of the state," Iván Márquez says, referring to the high number of activists and former Farc members killed since President Iván Duque took up office.
In the recording, he also says that the new guerrilla group, which carries the old name, Farc-EP (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army), will pursue different tactics.
He says that the group will only "respond to offensives" and that they will not carry out kidnappings for ransom but instead "seek dialogue" with local landowners and business people to try and convince them to "contribute" to their cause.He says that the group will only "respond to offensives" and that they will not carry out kidnappings for ransom but instead "seek dialogue" with local landowners and business people to try and convince them to "contribute" to their cause.
The video ends with Jesús Santrich shouting "Long live the Farc-EP!"The video ends with Jesús Santrich shouting "Long live the Farc-EP!"
Who is Iván Márquez?Who is Iván Márquez?
Iván Márquez is the nom-de guerre of Luciano Marín Arango. He was the number two in the Farc rebel movement before the guerrilla group signed a peace deal with the Colombian government in 2016, after more than five decades of armed conflict.Iván Márquez is the nom-de guerre of Luciano Marín Arango. He was the number two in the Farc rebel movement before the guerrilla group signed a peace deal with the Colombian government in 2016, after more than five decades of armed conflict.
He was a key figure in the peace negotiation which led to the signing of a peace deal in November 2016, leading the Farc negotiating team for the four years the talks lasted.He was a key figure in the peace negotiation which led to the signing of a peace deal in November 2016, leading the Farc negotiating team for the four years the talks lasted.
As part of the peace process, the Farc turned into a political party and was assigned a number of seats in Colombia's congress.As part of the peace process, the Farc turned into a political party and was assigned a number of seats in Colombia's congress.
Iván Márquez was assigned one of the Farc's five seats in the senate. But days before he was due to take up his post in July 2018, he announced he would not do so in protest at the arrest of his Farc comrade, Jesús Santrich.Iván Márquez was assigned one of the Farc's five seats in the senate. But days before he was due to take up his post in July 2018, he announced he would not do so in protest at the arrest of his Farc comrade, Jesús Santrich.
He went into hiding shortly afterwards and his only public appearance was in a video released in January.He went into hiding shortly afterwards and his only public appearance was in a video released in January.
In that video, he accused the Colombian government of failing to implement the agreements reached with the Farc and said he felt "disheartened". But at the time, he said he was still committed to peace.In that video, he accused the Colombian government of failing to implement the agreements reached with the Farc and said he felt "disheartened". But at the time, he said he was still committed to peace.
How significant is the new video?How significant is the new video?
It has been clear since he gave up his senate seat and went into hiding last year that Iván Márquez's commitment to the peace deal was wavering.It has been clear since he gave up his senate seat and went into hiding last year that Iván Márquez's commitment to the peace deal was wavering.
The same applies to Jesús Santrich, a former Farc rebel turned Congressman who failed to show up to court over drug smuggling charges in July.The same applies to Jesús Santrich, a former Farc rebel turned Congressman who failed to show up to court over drug smuggling charges in July.
However, their announcement of a "new phase in the armed conflict" is much more dangerous than their previous "disillusionment" with the implementation of the peace process.However, their announcement of a "new phase in the armed conflict" is much more dangerous than their previous "disillusionment" with the implementation of the peace process.
It is also likely to increase criticism of the transitional justice system created as part of the peace deal.It is also likely to increase criticism of the transitional justice system created as part of the peace deal.
Those who have warned that the Farc could not be trusted and that their leaders should have been jailed will feel vindicated.Those who have warned that the Farc could not be trusted and that their leaders should have been jailed will feel vindicated.
Is the Farc back now?Is the Farc back now?
Many would argue it has never completely gone away. While the group's leaders signed a peace deal and almost 7,000 of their fighters handed in their weapons, there have been groups of dissidents which never stood down.Many would argue it has never completely gone away. While the group's leaders signed a peace deal and almost 7,000 of their fighters handed in their weapons, there have been groups of dissidents which never stood down.
The number of dissidents is hard to estimate, but the figure cited in a leaked military document earlier this year was 2,300.The number of dissidents is hard to estimate, but the figure cited in a leaked military document earlier this year was 2,300.
Some of these dissidents never laid down their weapons, others have returned and yet others are new recruits. But so far, they have been scattered around the country in dozens of small groups.Some of these dissidents never laid down their weapons, others have returned and yet others are new recruits. But so far, they have been scattered around the country in dozens of small groups.
Tuesday's video showing four former influential commanders could be a sign that these groups are joining forces and will again act as one rebel group. Tuesday's video showing three former influential commanders could be a sign that these groups are joining forces and will again act as one rebel group.
What has the reaction been?
In response, the Colombian government's peace commissioner Miguel Ceballos told Colombia's Blu Radio: "There is no surprise for the national government. Unfortunately, these people had already made clear, by their behaviour, that they turned their backs on the peace accord."
The Farc's former top commander, Rodrigo Londoño, who used to be Iván Márquez's boss before the group disarmed, said that the "great majority" of former guerrilla fighters remained committed to peace "despite all the difficulties and dangers". Rodrigo Londoño now leads the political party which formed after the Farc laid down arms.
Former president Álvaro Uribe, who has all along been one of the most outspoken critics of the peace deal, slammed the peace accord saying that "the country must be aware that there was no process of peace, but [there was] a pardon for some people responsible for atrocious crimes at a high institutional cost".
Humberto de la Calle, one of the chief negotiators on the government's side, called on "all Colombians to shield and protect the peace process". "We recognise that the vast majority of men and women of the Farc have complied with the agreement; and we invite them to continue with its process of reincorporation into civilian life that will pay off every day," he added.
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