Colombia's government and Marxist rebels will start peace talks as planned on Wednesday in Oslo in a bid to end nearly half a century of conflict after logistical problems delayed departure of the delegates, Colombia's government said.
Colombia's government and rebel guerrillas will sit down this week in Norway, and later in Cuba, to start peace talks aimed at ending nearly half a century of conflict, a task to which both sides have anticipated their full commitment.
Brazil extended full support ‘in whatever is necessary’ to Colombia’s peace process which is scheduled to begin next 17 October in Norway and will continue in Cuba, announced the Executive Planalto Palace.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday before the UN General Assembly he is cautiously optimistic that his government can reach a peace deal with Marxist rebels. Santos added he wants to return to New York next year and announce that his conflict-battered country has signed a peace agreement.
Tens of thousands of anti-personnel mines and unexploded live munitions have caused over 10.000 fatal victims since 1990 in Colombia, the year when the country started to take records on accidents with this kind of ordnance, said Vice-president Angelino Garzón.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos rejected a proposal on Thursday by FARC rebels for a bilateral ceasefire during talks next month aimed at bringing an end to half a century of war.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos unveiled on Wednesday a six-man team to negotiate with FARC rebels in the hope of ending almost 50 years of internal war.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas to end the long standing conflict would start in Oslo in the first half of October before moving to Havana.
Colombia's FARC rebel leader said the group would join peace talks with the government without hatred or arrogance in its first response to President Juan Manuel Santos' announcement of imminent negotiations.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos named close ally Federico Renjifo as energy and mining minister in part of a Cabinet shuffle as the leader begins pursuing a peace process with FARC rebels.