After attack: Colombia announces ceasefire with FARC splinter organization Trump describes the presidential election as the “most important date” in American history

Following an attack by suspected rebels on the indigenous population in southwestern Colombia, the government of the South American country has called off a ceasefire with a splinter group of the former guerrilla organization Farc. From Wednesday, the army and police will resume operations against the FARC dissident group Estado Mayor Central in the departments of Nariño, Cauca and Valle del Cauca. as stated in a decree published on Sunday.

According to media reports, fighters from the FARC splinter group had previously attacked the indigenous town of Toribío in the Cauca department. At least one woman was killed and several other people were injured. Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote on X:

After the peace agreement between the Colombian government and the left-wing FARC in 2016, Estado Mayor Central split from the then largest rebel group in the country and remained underground. Today the organization is mainly a criminal group involved in drug trafficking, illegal mining and protection fraud.

Colombia suffered a 52-year civil war between left-wing rebels, right-wing paramilitaries and the army. 220,000 people died and millions were displaced. Although the security situation has improved following the peace deal between the government and the FARC, parts of the South American country are still controlled by illegal groups. President Petro aims for ‘total peace’ and has also invited other criminal gangs, rebels and paramilitaries to negotiate. (saw/sda/dpa)