Hong Kong Fintech News, Cryptocurrency Stories, Business Press Releases

Colombian govt, dissident FARC explore potential peace talks

This handout picture released by Colombian President Gustavo Petro's twitter account shows Colombian High Commissioner for Peace Danilo Rueda (in white t-shirt) during a meeting with members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in Caqueta, Colombia, on Sept 17, 2022. (GUSTAVO PETRO'S OFFICIAL TWITTER ACCOUNT / AFP)

Colombian government representatives have met with members of an armed group that grew out of the demobilized FARC rebels to explore potential peace talks, the two sides said in a statement.

Both sides (the Colombian government and FARC members) express the willingness and need for these dialogues to be set by a bilateral ceasefire, whose execution must be verified.

Colombian government, FARC

Signed by a United Nations representative, the Norway government as international observers, and a representative of a group of so-called FARC dissidents, the statement showed the members' willingness to hold a bilateral ceasefire.

It added that both parts agreed to sign a confidential protocol to guarantee a meeting of FARC dissident commanders.

ALSO READ: Colombia FARC negotiators say they are taking up arms again

"The two parties express the willingness and need for these dialogues to be set by a bilateral ceasefire, whose execution must be verified," the statement said.

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro, who took office in August, has promised to seek "total peace" by fully implementing a 2016 peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, and talking to so-called dissidents who reject the accord as well as criminal gangs.

Several commanders from the two major dissident groups have been killed in recent months, including across the border in Venezuela.

READ MORE: Colombian rebels reject conditions for resuming peace talks