FARC hands off 30 percent of their weapons

FARC rebel group stated that they are complying with the accords stated within the peace agreement signed last year

The peace process in Colombia hit a bumpy road when late last week a couple of FARC militants were arrested due to an error made by legal authorities. At the time, FARC leader Rodrigo Londoño declared that the entire process would have to be reconsidered. This affirmation came across as a juxtaposition to the orders given by President Juan Manuel Santos stating that the schedules previously settled upon would be kept.

The next important dates of this process:
June 14th: Another 30% of the firearms would be handed over to the agreed authorities.
June 20th: The final due date to hand over any remaining weapon under their possession.

Up to this point, everything looked good, but last April a stash of weapons and money was found in Putumayo. This even started the debate on how many weapons does FARC currently possess and if the hand off process includes all weapons stashed throughout the country. Various reports estimate around 900 weapons stashes around the country.

After logistical delays slowed the arrival of around 7,000 FARC fighters to special demobilization zones, the hand off of weapons set the beginning of the disarmament and a milestone as this has been one of the most awaited moments of the implementation of the peace process in Colombia.

Timochenko tweeted “Thirty percent of our arms are in the hands of the United Nations, this is the effective start of our farewell to arms”

LatinAmerican Post | Ricardo Avella
Copy edited by Susana Cicchetto