The main dissident group of the FARC, known as the Central General Staff (EMC), has issued a forceful response this Sunday to the partial suspension of the ceasefire announced two weeks ago by the Colombian Government. In a statement, the EMC has requested the restoration of the ceasefire, while issuing veiled threats about possible attacks on military and police targets.
The EMC statement expresses concern about what they call an “attack” against their Jacobo Arenas Western Blocks, Isaías Pardo Central Blocks and other units in national territory. They also urge citizens to stay away from government military and police forces to avoid civilian casualties in what they call “fratricidal war.” Although they do not make explicit threats of attacks, these are implicit in the message.
Addressing Colombian President Gustavo Petro, the EMC calls for the reestablishment of the temporary bilateral ceasefire, underlining the importance of the “silence of arms” to facilitate dialogue.
The suspension of the bilateral ceasefire in the departments of Nariño, Cauca and Valle del Cauca occurred two weeks ago by the Government, in response to an attack by the EMC on a community and the murder of an indigenous leader. Despite this, this week the two peace delegations met and agreed to continue with the dialogues, although it was not specified whether the ceasefire would be restored in the affected departments or if the suspension would be extended to the national level, as has been speculated. after new attacks by the EMC in Cali and Jamundí, both in Valle del Cauca.
The relationship between the Government and the EMC has been tense from the beginning, with several confrontations that have jeopardized the dialogue between both parties. Incidents such as the murder of indigenous minors recruited by the EMC in 2023 and the lack of agreement on the official installation of the peace dialogue have marked this relationship.
The EMC, led by Néstor Gregorio Vera Fernández, alias ‘Iván Mordisco’, did not sign the 2016 peace agreement between the Government and the FARC, which has contributed to the persistence of violence in some areas of Colombia.