The FARC’s top commander Rodrigo Londoño, nom de guerre “Timochenko,” expressed his doubts that a peace deal with the Colombian government could be reached by the end of 2014, according to an interview published Monday on the rebel group’s official website.
“We all want things to give as soon as possible,” said Timochenko, yet he noted the issues on the peace talks agenda must be addressed “with objectivity.”
Given the complexity of the debate regarding the “abandonment of arms” as well as addressing representation and reparation of victims of the conflict “it is easy to conclude that the deadline for [peace] this year [will not be possible],” according to Timochenko.
“It should be noted also that the subject of the surrender of arms and bilateral ceasefire will not be simple,” said Timochenko.
Peace talks between the FARC and the Colombian government have been ongoing since November 2012. So far, both parties have come to agreements on the topics of agrarian land reform, political participation, and illicit drugs.
