Colombia sees new peace breakthrough as about 100 rebels hand over arms
Around 99 rebels from the National Coordinating Committee of the Bolivarian Army laid down their weapons in southern Colombia on Thursday, marking the most significant success of President Gustavo Petro's 'total peace' plan.
In the southern department of Putumayo, about 100 guerrillas – 99 from the National Coordinating Committee of the Bolivarian Army – surrendered their weapons on Thursday. This development comes three days before a runoff presidential election that will determine Colombia's next leader.
The rebels placed their rifles in a giant container bearing the slogan: "I bet on life, I fulfill my commitment to peace." This gesture is the first step toward negotiating a disarmament agreement and legal status with the government.
The group broke away from the FARC, which laid down arms in 2016 after a half-century of war. They are the only guerrilla faction currently making progress in peace talks with President Gustavo Petro.
Armando Novoa, head of the government's peace delegation for the guerrilla group, called the move "a very strong and powerful message for Colombian society at this time when there's so much noise about war."
The fate of Petro's "total peace" policy hangs in the balance. Colombians vote on Sunday in a runoff between Petro ally Senator Ivan Cepeda, who promises to continue the peace initiative, and far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who opposes it. Petro will hand over power to the victor on August 7.
