MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

FARC Christmas message calls for end to military operations against them

The leaders of FARC demand an end to military operations against the rebel organisation.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) sent a Christmas message to President Juan Manuel Santos and military officers demanding that all military operations against them be stopped. Wounded soldier to be released.

 In a Christmas message dated in “the mountains of Colombia” and addressed at President Juan Manuel Santos and at the officers and non-commissioned officers of the Colombian regular armed forces and police, the FARC leaders warned that the one-side ceasefire which started December 20 will be ended if the rebels are attacked. FARC also criticised Santos' decision to keep up military operations active “to uphold the law.”

“There is no law to be claimed in order to keep up the irrationality of an armed conflict end deprive every Colombian their supreme right to peace,” read the message. Next year “will be decisive for peace in Colombia,” the message added. It also insisted on the need for international monitoring of their ceasefire, which President Santos has repeatedly rejected until other goals are achieved at the negotiating table in Havana.

“The enemies of national reconciliation have decried our conduct and questioned our will for peace, accusing us of not keeping our word,” stated FARC. “There should be no valid argument in favour of extending this absurd confrontation,” FARC added.

Meanwhile, FARC dignitaries in Havana confirmed Thursday that the process is underway to release Colombian soldier Carlos Becerra Ojeda, who was captured December 19 in the Cauca area during an attack which resulted in five Colombian regulars dead.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is working on the release of Becerra Ojeda, who has been reported to have sustained minor wounds.