Ex-FARC leaders propose dialogue with president-elect to safeguard peace deal

In a significant move, the remaining members of the former FARC secretariat have reached out to Colombia's President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, urging him to find institutional pathways to protect the 2016 peace agreement. The signatories, including former top commander Rodrigo Londoño, known as Timochenko, conveyed their readiness to engage in dialogue with the incoming administration.

The former guerrillas emphasized their commitment to the comprehensive implementation of the Final Peace Accord, ahead of its tenth anniversary in November. They reiterated their pledge to honor the agreements made during negotiations, seeking reciprocal compliance from the Colombian state. The group highlighted the urgency for De la Espriella's administration to fulfill state commitments made on November 24, 2016, the date the accord was signed.

This appeal comes shortly after President-elect De la Espriella publicly criticized Londoño and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP). De la Espriella questioned the JEP's decision to grant Londoño an official travel permit to Spain for academic conferences, labeling him a war criminal and accusing the JEP of masking serious offenses. He vowed his administration would ensure Londoño faces justice.

The former FARC leaders stressed the critical need for security guarantees, particularly the right to life for signatories, and the protection of democratic participation rights outlined in the peace accord. Their communication aims to secure assurances for their transition to civilian life and the ongoing peace process amidst political tensions.