- Title: Guerrillas are now driven by greed, not ideology, says Colombian admiral
- Date: 2nd December 2024
- Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (DECEMBER 2, 2024) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COMMANDER OF THE MILITARY FORCES, ADMIRAL FRANCISCO CUBIDES, SAYING: "The Government has always been open to dialogue. But, within the framework of the absence of hostility from the military and police forces, these groups have taken advantage of this generosity to achieve a more effective control of the p
- Embargoed: 16th December 2024 20:02
- Keywords: Drug trafficking ELN FARCS Guerrilla warfare Peace talks
- Location: VARIOUS, COLOMBIA
- City: VARIOUS, COLOMBIA
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,South America / Central America
- Reuters ID: LVA004420202122024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Colombian Admiral Francisco Cubides stated on Monday (December 2) that guerrilla groups, such as Segunda Marquetalia, are now motivated by greed rather than ideology.
During an interview, Cubides emphasized that these groups have shifted their focus to controlling drug trafficking and illicit mining operations. He said that the government was willing to engage in dialogue, but expressed concern that guerrillas exploit this openness to tighten their grip on local populations.
The Colombian government's peace process, driven under President Gustavo Petro and his predecessor Juan Manuel Santos, faces significant hurdles as illegal armed groups exploit negotiations to bolster their military and economic strength, complicating efforts to end a six-decade conflict that has claimed over 450,000 lives.
"Today, these groups have lost their ideology and are totally dedicated to their livelihoods and supporting illegal economies," Cubides said.
(Production: Herbert Villarraga, Hugo Monnet) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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