Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

FARC leader declares opposition to drug trade

-

The head of Colombia's FARC rebels, long believed to fund guerrilla activities via the drug trade, said Monday that he opposes the trade as "counter-revolutionary."

Timoleon Jimenez, known by his nom de guerre "Timochenko," said in an interview posted on the Internet that the FARC is opposed at its core to drug trafficking, "because it has killed many of our colleagues."

Jimenez, chief commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, added in the interview that drug trafficking "has slowed development and has done a lot of harm," particularly in terms of "large number of youths" lost to the drug trade.

The rebel leader made his remarks as the Colombian government and the guerrilla group prepared to resume peace talks in Cuba Tuesday which aim to end a half century of armed conflict.

It would be their first session since Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos placed second to a fierce opponent of the peace talks, Oscar Ivan Zuluaga, in the first round presidential vote May 25.

Polls show the two neck-and-neck as they head toward a June 15 runoff.

The Havana talks began in November 2012 and have led to partial agreements on terms for the FARC's political reintegration, rural development and drug trafficking.

But at least three major issues remain unresolved: the surrender of weapons, compensation for victims of the conflict, and whether a peace agreement would be ratified by a national referendum or some other means.

The head of Colombia’s FARC rebels, long believed to fund guerrilla activities via the drug trade, said Monday that he opposes the trade as “counter-revolutionary.”

Timoleon Jimenez, known by his nom de guerre “Timochenko,” said in an interview posted on the Internet that the FARC is opposed at its core to drug trafficking, “because it has killed many of our colleagues.”

Jimenez, chief commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, added in the interview that drug trafficking “has slowed development and has done a lot of harm,” particularly in terms of “large number of youths” lost to the drug trade.

The rebel leader made his remarks as the Colombian government and the guerrilla group prepared to resume peace talks in Cuba Tuesday which aim to end a half century of armed conflict.

It would be their first session since Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos placed second to a fierce opponent of the peace talks, Oscar Ivan Zuluaga, in the first round presidential vote May 25.

Polls show the two neck-and-neck as they head toward a June 15 runoff.

The Havana talks began in November 2012 and have led to partial agreements on terms for the FARC’s political reintegration, rural development and drug trafficking.

But at least three major issues remain unresolved: the surrender of weapons, compensation for victims of the conflict, and whether a peace agreement would be ratified by a national referendum or some other means.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Business

The US State Department backtracked on a document saying it would award $400 million for electric armored cars by Tesla.

Life

A man expressing sadness with his head in his hands. Image by Tellmeimok. (CC BY-SA 4.0)Are some jobs more stressful that others? The answer...

World

Taiwan will boost investment in the United States and on its own defences, President Lai Ching-te said Friday.

Entertainment

"America's Got Talent" alum James Heugh of Positive Impact Movement chatted about his latest endeavors.