Wednesday, December 21, 2016

COLOMBIA - FARC register themselves as a political party. No Vatican "mediation"

In Bogota, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) continue the road taken to transform itself into a political party in 2017, and have registered themselves at the National Electoral Council under the symbol "Voices of peace and reconciliation".

According to a note sent to Fides, activists for Human Rights of the National University of Marcha Patriotic movements, Patriotic Union (UP) and the Communist Party, met with leaders of the FARC, Ivan Marquez and Pastor Alape, to talk about the future profile of the party.

Meanwhile, in Rome, Pope Francis met first separately and then together with the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos and former president Alvaro Uribe. In the meetings - informs the press room of the Holy See - "appreciation was expressed for the Pope’s support to the peace process and the hope that such peace is stable and lasting. The meeting was very important with regards to the unity among the Colombian political forces and the commitment of the FARC-EP, while the local Church will continue to offer its contribution in favor of national reconciliation and education aimed at forgiveness and harmony". 


The declaration of the Vatican press office does not refer to any "mediation" between the Colombian government and FARC on behalf of the Holy See. 

The intention expressed by Pope Francis is to promote dialogue among the Colombian leaders, and ask to carry out any kind of action that has the goal of real and lasting peace, as envisaged by the recent agreements in Colombia. 

All, now, agree that the task faced by the entire national team is to fully implement the agreements signed, in order to establish the long-awaited peace in the country.