The Colombian attorney general’s office has put on hold arrest warrants for nine leaders of the illegal armed group Segunda Marquetalia. This move is part of President Gustavo Petro’s efforts to initiate peace talks between the government and the group. The goal is to end the long-standing armed conflict in Colombia, which has resulted in over 450,000 deaths.
Segunda Marquetalia is a faction that split from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a group that initially signed a peace deal with the government in 2016. However, Segunda Marquetalia returned to arms, claiming that the promises made in the peace agreement were not fulfilled.
In February, both sides agreed to begin a peace process. However, it’s worth noting that the group’s top leader, Ivan Marquez, was not included in the list of leaders whose arrest warrants were suspended. While reports last July suggested Marquez had died, some local media later contradicted this, stating he may still be alive.
President Petro’s government is also engaged in talks with other leftist guerrilla groups, including the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Estado Mayor Central, another faction of the FARC that never accepted the 2016 peace deal.
The decision to suspend arrest warrants is a significant step towards initiating peace negotiations, but there are still challenges ahead. Building trust between the government and Segunda Marquetalia will be crucial, as well as addressing the root causes of the conflict to ensure a lasting peace.
The peace talks represent a potential opportunity to end decades of violence and bring stability to Colombia. However, achieving a comprehensive and sustainable peace will require continued dialogue, compromise, and commitment from all parties involved.
