The FARC rebel group promised on Sunday to remain at the negotiating table in Havana, Cuba, until a “political and social agreement” on peace has been reached with the Colombian government.
The guerrillas made the announcement days after agreeing to release a Colombian general captured by the group in western Colombia. President Juan Manuel Santos has the suspended the talks until the general is released.
MORE: Colombia peace talks guarantors announce FARC will release general, 4 other captives
“For our part, we will not leave the negotiating table until we achieve a political and social agreement with the Colombian government that produces a durable peace with social justice,” the FARC said at a conference held a Cuba.
The group added that they were “completely committed, without hesitation or injuries with the search for peace for Colombia,” emphasizing the need for a ceasefire to create “a climate of mutual trust that permits the greatest speed for a peace agreement.”
The Delegation of Guarantors of Norway announced at a press conference in Havana last week that the government and the rebels had agreed on terms of the general’s release.
“The necessary conditions for the liberation of the following persons have been agreed by the parties,” said the Norwegian guarantor Rita Santberg.
General Ruben Dario Alzate, Corporal Jorge Rodriguez and attorney Gloria Guerrero were captured on Sunday when they, reportedly ignoring all protocol, entered FARC territory unarmed, in civilian and without any security precautions.
Rebels that found the general and his accompaniment in the village of Las Mercedes, Choco and were able to detain him without to use of force, locals have claimed.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos suspended ongoing peace talks with rebel group FARC, hours after the guerrillas had detained a general in western Colombia.
MORE: Santos suspends Colombia peace talks after FARC ‘captures general’
Soldiers Cesar Rivera and Jonathan Diaz were captured in combat earlier.
The president demanded the immediate release of the kidnapped officials and the attorney, and suspended the talks until this was achieved.
The FARC earlier Wednesday confirmed the captivity and announced a decision would come.
After confirming their possession of the general and that a decision on his release was to come, the president then toned down the rhetoric, saying he ” wished to continue the talks” and asked the guarantors to mediate the release, which they successfully did within hours.
MORE: ‘I Hope The Impasse Will Soon Be Resolved’: Santos
