In a significant advancement towards peace in Colombia, the country’s Office of the High Commissioner for Peace officially initiated a dialogue with the Second Marquetalia on Friday, taking the first formal steps towards a possible peace agreement with the armed group.
This move aligns with the peace policy set forth under the Total Peace Law, a legislative initiative led by Colombian President Gustavo Petro. The law permits the government to negotiate peace agreements with organized armed groups operating outside the state’s normative jurisdiction, aiming to put a full stop to the country’s long-lasting internal armed conflict, which has ravaged the country over five decades.
The joint statement by the Colombian government and the Second Marquetalia underscored immediate initiation of preliminary arrangements for conflict de-escalation and the commencement of social and environmental enhancements within the region. The aim, per the parties involved, involves fostering “comprehensive peace, with social justice and true democracy”.
In an effort to define the agenda and negotiation protocols, both parties are seeking participation from the Governments of Cuba, Norway, and Venezuela to facilitate this process. Moreover, the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Colombia and the Episcopal Conference of Colombia have been invited to provide their support.
The Second Marquetalia is among the organized armed groups that emerged from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) and largely consists of former FARC-EP combatants who did not agree to the 2016 peace agreement signed between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP. In 2019, Luciano Marín, also known as “Iván Márquez”, announced the rearming of a group of ex-combatants, leading to the creation of the “Second Marquetalia”.
The peace initiative has garnered international attention and support as well. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez confirmed on Twitter that Cuba has accepted the invitation to support the peace dialogue process. Norway, known for its previous engagements in peace and reconciliation endeavors involving Colombian guerrilla groups, and Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro have also previously agreed to serve as a “guarantor” in negotiations between the Colombian government and the ELN guerrilla group.
There can be little doubt that this represents a significant step towards achieving lasting peace in Colombia, however, as entry into formal dialogue is just the brutal, protracted conflict’s beginning. A broad holistic approach that includes addressing socio-economic factors, adding destruction to infrastructure and civilities within affected regions will be crucial to forging a lasting resolution.