Petro and FARC dissidents to begin new series of talks in Caracas

A new dialogue process is scheduled to begin Colombian President Gustavo Petro with the group led by alias Iván Márquez, former number two of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who is currently at the head of the dissident group known as Second Marquetalia.

It should be remembered that from the year 2022, Petro has held a series of negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) in cities such as Caracas (Venezuela), Mexico City (Mexico) and Havana (Cuba).in addition to having established a table with the Central General Staff (EMC), another group of dissidents of the peace agreement signed with the FARC in 2016.

While it is true that to date there are few details about the agenda with which Second Marquetalia In Caracas, it is known that a document signed on June 5 in the Venezuelan capital focuses on «Promote democratic changes and reforms for peace“, in addition to prioritizing affected populations and territories.

The text also stipulates the creation of negotiating committees in order to achieve the “de-escalation of the conflict« and the «Construction of territories of peace«in addition to caring for victims.

Francisco Javier Daza, a researcher at the Peace and Reconciliation Foundation (PARES), told AFP that he does not believe that Márquez or the Second Marquetalia are seeking a path into politics.

Compared to the negotiations that took place in 2016 and which reached an agreement, this time the aim is to reduce violence in the areas in which it operates.all of this with the clear intention of achieving state power.

Prior to the start of the dialogues, General Helder Giraldocommander of the Colombian Military Forces, said that There are approaches for a bilateral ceasefire.

It should be remembered that on January 1, 2023, President Petroex-guerrilla of the M-19, announced a six-month truce by state forces.

The Caracas document bears the signature of Ivan Marquez, whose real name is Luciano Marín. Márquez, former chief negotiator of the FARC during the peace process and remained for some years in the resulting political party, defected in 2019 and announced a new armed revolution.

In 2023, after speculation about his death in Venezuela, the Colombian government confirmed that was recovering from an attack.

According to Daza, Márquez is one of the few old guard figures with strong ideological foundationswhich could speed up and make the negotiations more effective compared to the talks with the ELN and the EMC.