United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday welcomed the announcements of his Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos and rebel group FARC as they reach an agreement to begin peace talks.
According to Press Secretary Jay Carney, Obama said the “Santos administration has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to seeking a durable peace and ensuring a better life for all Colombians through its security and social inclusion policies.”
Carney said in a press release that “President Obama welcomes President Santos’ deep commitment to working for peace and recognizes the courage and sacrifice of successive Colombian governments – and most especially of the Colombian people – in achieving this milestone. The FARC should now take this opportunity to end its decades of terrorism and narcotics trafficking, and allow the Colombian people to continue building a democratic, prosperous, and just society.”
“As the Santos administration works toward a resolution of the conflict, the United States reaffirms its longstanding defense and security partnership with Colombia and its commitment to work with Colombia to promote citizen security, respect for human rights, and economic prosperity for all its people,” Carney said.
The United States has long supported Colombia in its fight against guerrilla groups like the FARC and ELN, both determined terrorist organizations by the U.S. State Department.
The people of #Colombia deserve lasting peace & security. Pres. Santos’s efforts hold great promise that they will be able to enjoy both.
— Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) September 4, 2012
