Colombia president Juan Manuel Santos on Wednesday called on the military to maintain its offensive against leftist rebel group FARC and promised to increase soldiers’ salaries while the government is negotiating peace.
Santos visited a military base in the southern state of Caqueta where he told troops that “we must intensify in this moment, and more every time. Why? To reach the end of the conflict as soon as possible. Because if we let our guard down, (the FARC) will have no motivation to accelerate the negotiations.”
“We have advanced much, like never before, but the hardest is still ahead. For that reason, the military offensive must be maintained,” added President Santos.
Santos also told the troops he intends to increase their salaries as a “debt owed to them by Colombians.”
“Instead of receiving $400 monthly, for example, you’ll receive more than $500. An increase of $120 for the rest of your lives. And that also goes to your pension,” Santos told the soldiers.
The President highlighted that guerrilla demobilizations are at an all-time high.
The role in the military will be essential in a post-conflict Colombia in the event that the peace negotiations in Cuba with Colombia’s largest rebel group, FARC, reaches an accord.
Sources
- El bienestar de las Fuerzas Armadas seguirá siendo prioridad, afirmó el Presidente Santos (Presidencia)
- Presidente Santos pide a las FF.MM arreciar en este momento para lograr el fin del conflicto lo más pronto posible (Presidencia)
