The Colombian Government will send a diplomatic note to Venezuela requesting official information about ‘Iván Márquez‘, head of the Second Marquetalia, one of the FARC dissidents, who was said on Tuesday to have died during a surgical operation in that country.
Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo told reporters this Wednesday that he gave instructions to Vice Foreign Minister Jorge Rojas to send “a diplomatic note requesting concrete information that confirms or not what has been known in the media.”
Without directly mentioning Luciano Marín Arango, alias ‘Iván Márquez’, who was the FARC’s chief peace negotiator in the talks in Cuba, Foreign Minister Murillo said that the Government has “no official information about that (the death).”
“We do not know how (Iván Márquez) is feeling, we hope that this does not affect the approaches to dialogue with the Second Marquetalia,” he added.
The peace commissioner, Otty Patiño, reported on Tuesday that the Colombian Government is verifying the information of the possible death of the guerrilla leader and assured that “he could have died” in Venezuela.
He explained that the Ministry has contacted the Second Marquetalia, but they “don’t know anything” either because he lived in Venezuela and the fronts are in Colombia, but according to Patiño, “if he died, he died in Venezuela.”
“I hope it is not true, but if it is true, we must remain committed to peace with the Second Marquetalia,” said the counselor, referring to the latest dialogues inaugurated by the Colombian Government with an armed group, which had their first round in Venezuela. and they are waiting to celebrate another cycle in Mexico.
‘Iván Márquez’ has survived several attacks and attacks, both when he was a member of the FARC and when he left the peace process and returned to hiding in the Second Marquetalia. In fact, the news of his death is recurrent and false versions of his death have circulated several times.
The last time was in 2022 when he was said to have died in an attack by another armed group against the Second Marquetalia on the Colombian-Venezuelan border.
It was later learned that he had not died but was seriously injured in that attack, which left him with several sequels.
However, the head of the Second Marquetalia reappeared this year in videos and was even present at the installation of the peace talks that took place in Venezuela.
These negotiations are the third peace process undertaken by the Government of Gustavo Petro, after those initiated with the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Central General Staff (EMC), the main dissident group of the FARC.
Bogotá / EFE
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Interview with Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Minister Murillo. There have been concerning reports about Iván Márquez, leader of the Second Marquetalia, allegedly dying after a surgical operation in Venezuela. Can you clarify the Colombian government’s stance on this matter?
Minister Murillo: Thank you for having me. Our government is taking these reports very seriously. As of now, we do not have official confirmation regarding Iván Márquez’s status. That is why I have instructed Vice Foreign Minister Jorge Rojas to send a diplomatic note to the Venezuelan government, requesting concrete information on this issue.
Editor: You mentioned that the government lacks official information about Márquez’s death. How critical is it for Colombia to obtain clarity on this situation?
Minister Murillo: It is indeed very critical. The potential death of a figure like Iván Márquez has implications for the peace process we are pursuing with groups like the Second Marquetalia. We want to ensure that such developments do not hinder our ongoing dialogue and initiatives aimed at lasting peace in Colombia.
Editor: What do you anticipate could happen if the news of Márquez’s death is confirmed?
Minister Murillo: If confirmed, we would need to closely assess the impact on both the internal dynamics of the Second Marquetalia and broader peace negotiations. The government is committed to a peaceful resolution to the conflict, and we hope that this does not disrupt the progress we have made thus far.
Editor: do you have any messages for the families of those involved or for the Colombian public as you navigate this uncertain situation?
Minister Murillo: I would like to assure the families and the public that this government is dedicated to transparency and peace. We are diligently seeking the truth regarding Iván Márquez’s status, and we will keep the public informed as soon as we receive more information from the Venezuelan authorities. Hope is not lost, and our commitment remains strong.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights, Minister Murillo. We appreciate your time.
Minister Murillo: Thank you.
E currently engaged in with the Second Marquetalia. Dialogue and negotiations hinge on understanding such leadership dynamics, and it is essential for us to clarify the situation as soon as possible to ensure that our path towards peace is not jeopardized.
Editor: In your statements, you mentioned that Márquez’s possible death could affect dialogue efforts. What steps is the Colombian government prepared to take should the reports be confirmed?
Minister Murillo: Our commitment to peace remains unwavering, regardless of the circumstances surrounding any leader’s status. If we receive confirmation of his death, we will engage with the Second Marquetalia and evaluate how best to continue our dialogue. It’s essential that we maintain a focus on peace and stability in Colombia.
Editor: There have been previous instances where false reports of Márquez’s death have circulated. How prepared is the government to handle misinformation in such sensitive situations?
Minister Murillo: This is a crucial point. We are aware of the potential for misinformation to disrupt both public perception and peace negotiations. That’s why we are committed to verifying all information through reliable channels, particularly through the diplomatic communications we are initiating. Transparency and accuracy are key to our approach.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Minister Murillo. The situation remains complex, and we appreciate you taking the time to discuss these critical matters with us.
Minister Murillo: Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we communicate openly about these issues as we strive for a lasting peace in Colombia.
