A Colombian rebel group, Comuneros del Sur, has handed over arms to the government in a historic move, marking a significant step towards disarmament and reintegration into civilian life. The group signed two agreements with President Gustavo Petro on Saturday.
The handover of land mines, grenades, and rockets took place at a ceremony in Pasto city, where Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez hailed it as a “historic moment”. Royer Garzon, one of the group’s leaders, stated that they consider armed conflict obsolete and refuse to return to war.
This move paves the way for the eventual disarmament and reintegration of around 300 Comuneros del Sur rebels. The Colombian government has held peace talks with nine rebel groups under a “total peace” strategy, but most negotiations have failed to reduce violence.
The Comuneros del Sur’s decision is seen as a breakthrough in Colombia’s long-running peace process, which began with the country’s largest rebel group, FARC, in 2016. However, the FARC’s withdrawal from some rural areas has created a power vacuum that smaller groups like the Comuneros del Sur have tried to fill.
The Colombian government is struggling to provide security in remote rural areas, where different groups fight over drug trafficking routes and natural resources, while forcibly recruiting minors and taxing local businesses. The Comuneros del Sur’s decision marks a significant shift towards a more peaceful resolution.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/colombian-rebel-group-begins-handing-over-arms-to-government/a-72151906