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Colombians stage big anti-Farc protests | Colombians stage big anti-Farc protests |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Tens of thousands of people across Colombia have taken part in protests against the country's largest left-wing guerrilla group, Farc. | Tens of thousands of people across Colombia have taken part in protests against the country's largest left-wing guerrilla group, Farc. |
Wearing white T-shirts, protesters demanded that the rebels free the hostages they have been holding, in some case for more than a decade. | Wearing white T-shirts, protesters demanded that the rebels free the hostages they have been holding, in some case for more than a decade. |
The demonstrators also voiced outrage over last month's killing of four people held by the rebels. | The demonstrators also voiced outrage over last month's killing of four people held by the rebels. |
In an apparent response, the Farc promised to free some hostages. | In an apparent response, the Farc promised to free some hostages. |
However, a rebel statement did not say who would be freed or when, or if there were any conditions attached to their release. | However, a rebel statement did not say who would be freed or when, or if there were any conditions attached to their release. |
'Time to end this' | 'Time to end this' |
Protest rallies were held in the capital, Bogota, as well as in Cali, Medellin and several other Colombian cities, 10 days after the killing of the hostages - all members of the security forces. | Protest rallies were held in the capital, Bogota, as well as in Cali, Medellin and several other Colombian cities, 10 days after the killing of the hostages - all members of the security forces. |
Farc (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) guerrillas shot them as troops closed in on their camp in the jungle. | |
One hostage managed to escape alive. | One hostage managed to escape alive. |
In Bogota, a big rally was staged in the cental square, Plaza Bolivar. | |
The demonstrators chanted "No more Farc!" and "Freedom!" They also held pictures of those who had been held in captivity by the rebels for years. | The demonstrators chanted "No more Farc!" and "Freedom!" They also held pictures of those who had been held in captivity by the rebels for years. |
"We have tolerated the Farc enough," protester Ruben Castano was quoted as saying by Reuters. | "We have tolerated the Farc enough," protester Ruben Castano was quoted as saying by Reuters. |
"Santos, it's time to end this," he added, referring to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. | "Santos, it's time to end this," he added, referring to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos. |
Before the demonstrations began, President Santos said: "It's not just the government calling for peace, it's all of Colombia." | Before the demonstrations began, President Santos said: "It's not just the government calling for peace, it's all of Colombia." |
Mr Santos has repeatedly stated that he is ready to start talks with the rebels if they stop attacks and abductions, and also lay down their weapons. | Mr Santos has repeatedly stated that he is ready to start talks with the rebels if they stop attacks and abductions, and also lay down their weapons. |
Mr Santos's government has recently inflicted some severe blows to the Farc, including the killing of the group's leader Alfonso Cano last month. | |
The Farc - Colombia's biggest and best organised rebel group - has been fighting to overthrow the government since the 1960s. | The Farc - Colombia's biggest and best organised rebel group - has been fighting to overthrow the government since the 1960s. |
The rebels still hold 10 members of the security forces, as well as dozens of civilian captives. | The rebels still hold 10 members of the security forces, as well as dozens of civilian captives. |
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