Colombian Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera said Monday that the new government of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos will not recognize peace talks or plans with the guerrilla that have not been authorized through official channels.
“We want to clearly express that all non-consulted, uncoordinated, spontaneous initiatives by different political agents in Colombia and outside push further away any possibility of using such a path to achieve peace in Colombia,” Rivera said.
Without directly naming her, Rivera was referring to Colombian Liberal Party Senator Piedad Cordoba, who announced Sunday that she plans to present a peace proposal, which includes guerrilla groups the FARC and the ELN, and demobilized paramilitary group the AUC, to South American regional group UNASUR.
Cordoba developed the initiative after she was named president of Colombian Congress’ Peace Commission.
Cordoba has been involved in several negotiations for the release of FARC-held hostages and campaigned in Europe to win support for a prisoner swap of FARC hostages for incarcerated guerrillas.
The “Colombian for peace” leader was forced to cut her European tour short and return to Colombia to face accusations of “FARC-politics,” which according to Colombian Supreme Court President Jaime Arrubla, lack conclusive evidence.
Cordoba has denied the accusations on many occasions, saying that she is being prosecuted for a “crime of opinion,” and that the charges are “persecution,” which “come from the presidency.”
