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Colombia forces 'bomb Farc rebels, 20 killed' | Colombia forces 'bomb Farc rebels, 20 killed' |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 20 Farc rebels have been killed in Colombia after the military launched bombing strikes on one of their camps, the army says. | At least 20 Farc rebels have been killed in Colombia after the military launched bombing strikes on one of their camps, the army says. |
Saturday's raid is said to be the biggest military operation against Farc since peace talks began in October. | |
The camps were in Narino province near the Ecuadorian border, commander Gen Leonardo Barrero told AFP news agency. | The camps were in Narino province near the Ecuadorian border, commander Gen Leonardo Barrero told AFP news agency. |
The strike comes as President Juan Manuel Santos said the rebels had less than a year to abandon their weapons. | The strike comes as President Juan Manuel Santos said the rebels had less than a year to abandon their weapons. |
In November, the Farc announced a ceasefire set to last until 20 January. | |
Mr Santos, however, has rejected calls for a government-led truce until a final agreement has been reached. | |
Speaking on Sunday, he said his administration would offer all necessary guarantees so the Farc could disarm and join the political process as a legal party. | |
"This has to be a process of months, rather than years," the president said. | |
Mr Santos said any attempts to delay disarming were unacceptable. The Farc has not responded to Mr Santos's deadline. | |
'Prisoners of war' | |
The president made his comments after the rebel group acknowledged that it was holding what it called "prisoners of war", contradicting its previous denials. | |
The rebels had recently announced a unilateral Christmas truce, but the Colombian government has not stopped its military actions. | |
President Juan Manuel Santos has always said sustained military pressure against the rebels is key to a successful peace process - and the weekend's attack provided Farc with a stark reminder of this. | |
Traditionally, the end of the year in Colombia sees a surge in military operations, both from Farc and the military. | |
But on 19 November, the leftist rebels announced a two-month unilateral ceasefire "to strengthen the climate of understanding". | |
Saturday's raid, however, proves the Colombian army will not ease military pressure on the insurgents. | |
And with President Santos's popularity at an all-time low, and the majority of Colombians claiming to be pessimistic about the prospects of the peace talks, more shows of strength from the government can be expected. | |
In February, the rebels announced that they would stop all political abductions and kidnappings for ransom. | |
But victims' groups say the kidnappings have continued and not all hostages have been released. | |
The peace talks, aimed at ending five decades of conflict, began in Norway on 18 October before moving to Cuba's capital, Havana, a month later. | |
Negotiations focus on land reform, the end of armed conflict; guarantees for the exercise of political opposition and citizen participation, drug trafficking; and the rights of the victims of the conflict. | |
The first stage of the dialogue ended last Thursday, with talks due to resume on Wednesday. | |
All previous attempts to reach a deal have failed. | All previous attempts to reach a deal have failed. |
The government ended the last peace talks in 2002, accusing the rebels of trying to regroup in a demilitarised zone. | The government ended the last peace talks in 2002, accusing the rebels of trying to regroup in a demilitarised zone. |
According to government estimates, 600,000 people have died since the conflict began in Colombia, with millions more displaced. | According to government estimates, 600,000 people have died since the conflict began in Colombia, with millions more displaced. |
The Farc numbered 16,000 in 2001 but are now thought to have some 8,000 fighters. | The Farc numbered 16,000 in 2001 but are now thought to have some 8,000 fighters. |