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Colombian rebels offer to support peasant protests Colombian rebels offer to support peasant protests
(2 months later)
Colombian rebels have offered to support a wave of peasant protests with weapons and troops, a move that could further stigmatise farmers and raise tensions with the government, which has been engaged in peace talks with the guerrillas to try to end half a century of civil war.Colombian rebels have offered to support a wave of peasant protests with weapons and troops, a move that could further stigmatise farmers and raise tensions with the government, which has been engaged in peace talks with the guerrillas to try to end half a century of civil war.
Thousands of peasants have been blockading roads in the Catatumbo region, on the border with Venezuela, since early June, demanding that the government end the forced eradication of coca – the plant used to make cocaine and, for many in the remote area, the only source of income.Thousands of peasants have been blockading roads in the Catatumbo region, on the border with Venezuela, since early June, demanding that the government end the forced eradication of coca – the plant used to make cocaine and, for many in the remote area, the only source of income.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) said in a communique that the farmers "can count on our ranks, our weapons and our fighters", adding that the protests "coincide completely with our political positions".The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) said in a communique that the farmers "can count on our ranks, our weapons and our fighters", adding that the protests "coincide completely with our political positions".
"We are ready to receive them, to support them and guide them to final victory," the Farc said in a message posted on Monday on its website."We are ready to receive them, to support them and guide them to final victory," the Farc said in a message posted on Monday on its website.
The statement came after 19 government troops were killed in two separate guerrilla attacks over the weekend, in one of the heaviest blows to security forces since the Farc began peace talks with the government.The statement came after 19 government troops were killed in two separate guerrilla attacks over the weekend, in one of the heaviest blows to security forces since the Farc began peace talks with the government.
Both sides agreed to negotiate without a ceasefire, and the president, Juan Manuel Santos, has ordered the military to continue its offensive against the rebels. "Don't stop shooting until we end this conflict," he said in a speech.Both sides agreed to negotiate without a ceasefire, and the president, Juan Manuel Santos, has ordered the military to continue its offensive against the rebels. "Don't stop shooting until we end this conflict," he said in a speech.
While fighting continues in Colombia, negotiators meeting in Havana, Cuba, have reached a draft agreement on rural development, which reportedly includes the creation of new special peasant reserve zones, a project begun in the 1990s to protect small-scale farmers from land grabs and help them benefit from rural development programmes. But no agreement will be implemented until the two sides agree to the entire six-point agenda.While fighting continues in Colombia, negotiators meeting in Havana, Cuba, have reached a draft agreement on rural development, which reportedly includes the creation of new special peasant reserve zones, a project begun in the 1990s to protect small-scale farmers from land grabs and help them benefit from rural development programmes. But no agreement will be implemented until the two sides agree to the entire six-point agenda.
Protesters in Catatumbo have called on the government to immediately declare a reserve zone in the region and stop coca eradication.Protesters in Catatumbo have called on the government to immediately declare a reserve zone in the region and stop coca eradication.
The peasant leader César Jerez said from the site of the road block that the protesters would not comment on the Farc's offer, "because it would just be a bigger problem for us".The peasant leader César Jerez said from the site of the road block that the protesters would not comment on the Farc's offer, "because it would just be a bigger problem for us".
"The government and local media have already tried to paint us as rebels. That damage has already been done," he said."The government and local media have already tried to paint us as rebels. That damage has already been done," he said.
As well as the peasant reserve zone, the protesters have called for infrastructure investment, subsidies for coca farmers whose crops have been destroyed and guarantees for their safety.As well as the peasant reserve zone, the protesters have called for infrastructure investment, subsidies for coca farmers whose crops have been destroyed and guarantees for their safety.
The government, which has sent numerous commissions to the region to negotiate an end to the blockades, has said the protests have been infiltrated by the Farc. The Farc, along with the smaller National Liberation Army and drug trafficking groups, dominates the region, which has scant state presence. The drug trade is a major source of income for both rebel factions.The government, which has sent numerous commissions to the region to negotiate an end to the blockades, has said the protests have been infiltrated by the Farc. The Farc, along with the smaller National Liberation Army and drug trafficking groups, dominates the region, which has scant state presence. The drug trade is a major source of income for both rebel factions.
The defence minister Juan Carlos Pinzón told reporters the Farc's offer to the protesters was "a joke" and proof of the connections between them.The defence minister Juan Carlos Pinzón told reporters the Farc's offer to the protesters was "a joke" and proof of the connections between them.
The vice-president, Angelino Garzón, who has led talks with the farmers, said the "justness of the protests is not in dispute", but likened the Farc's offer of support to a "bear hug: it's hard to get out of it alive".The vice-president, Angelino Garzón, who has led talks with the farmers, said the "justness of the protests is not in dispute", but likened the Farc's offer of support to a "bear hug: it's hard to get out of it alive".
Fearing a military assault, Jerez, the peasant leader, said protesters had sent a letter to the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, formally requesting refuge in the neighbouring country. "As of this morning, 150 women and children have already crossed over," he said, adding that they had the support of the local authorities in the Venezuelan border town of Jesús María Semprúm.Fearing a military assault, Jerez, the peasant leader, said protesters had sent a letter to the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, formally requesting refuge in the neighbouring country. "As of this morning, 150 women and children have already crossed over," he said, adding that they had the support of the local authorities in the Venezuelan border town of Jesús María Semprúm.
Four peasants have been killed during the protests in clashes with riot police since the protests started in June. Santos, the president, has said his government will not bend to the pressure of the blockade, which has prevented supplies from reaching the town of Tibú, but is not planning any immediate military action.Four peasants have been killed during the protests in clashes with riot police since the protests started in June. Santos, the president, has said his government will not bend to the pressure of the blockade, which has prevented supplies from reaching the town of Tibú, but is not planning any immediate military action.
"In Catatumbo, we have not wanted to go in with force to avoid more damage. We know that's what they want and we will not fall into the trap," he said."In Catatumbo, we have not wanted to go in with force to avoid more damage. We know that's what they want and we will not fall into the trap," he said.
While the protests in Catatumbo grind on, small-scale miners throughout the rest of the country have also begun protests against the government and a nationwide "agrarian strike" is being announced for mid-August.While the protests in Catatumbo grind on, small-scale miners throughout the rest of the country have also begun protests against the government and a nationwide "agrarian strike" is being announced for mid-August.
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