The Colombian government has announced that it will engage in formal peace talks with the Second Marquetalia rebels, a group that splintered from the Farc in 2016. The talks are scheduled to begin later this month in Caracas, Venezuela, with the goal of bringing about lasting peace in Colombia. President Gustavo Petro has emphasized the importance of negotiations as the key to resolving conflicts in the region.
The Second Marquetalia, consisting of around 1,000 fighters, has been involved in illicit activities like cocaine smuggling, kidnapping, and attacks on security forces. The group’s leader, Iván Márquez, who was a key negotiator in the 2016 peace agreement, reemerged in a video after three years, calling for a return to arms due to perceived government betrayal.
Despite internal leadership upheavals and the deaths of prominent figures like Jesús Santrich and Romaña, the rebels will be represented by Walter Mendoza in the upcoming talks. The Colombian government will be led by Armando Novoa, with support from guarantors Cuba, Norway, and Venezuela.
While the talks are a positive step towards peace, there are concerns about the group’s violent history and their demands. It remains to be seen if a comprehensive agreement can be reached to bring stability to Colombia and its conflict-ridden regions.
