2023-05-25 18:15:17
They assured that they were not forcibly recruited and that they were of the age for it.
The Central General Staff (EMC) of the extinct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) publicly assumed responsibility for the murder of three indigenous adolescents on the border between the departments of Putumayo and Caquetá.
In a statement released by the media, the so-called ‘Iván Mordisco’ dissidents assured that the three young minors – not four, as reported in the press – “were executed”.
The attribution of these deaths occurs after Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the suspension of the bilateral ceasefire and the reactivation of offensive operations against that dissident bloc in four departments.
“They were not recruited by force”
As explained in the text, the adolescents “were not recruited by force,” which is why they maintain that they voluntarily joined that guerrilla group.
Regarding their condition as minors, the dissidents affirmed that they were “of the age required by international humanitarian law for the recruitment of combatants”, that is, at least 15 years old.
After learning about this massacre, the Public Ministry announced that it had assigned a special group of prosecutors and investigators to clarify what happened.
The accusing entity handles the figure of four indigenous minors belonging to the Murui Amazonian indigenous people.
In the same way, groups defending the rights of native peoples and organizations in favor of peace have expressed their repudiation for these homicides.
In a statement released by the High Commissioner for Peace, the National Network of Citizen Initiatives for Peace and Against War asserted that what happened “disproves” an armed actor whose insurgent character has been recognized by the Government, in the midst of the Conversations that haven’t started yet.
This NGO affirmed that with this action, the FARC dissidents “assure a hard blow to the dreams of peace of the Colombian people.”
#ATTENTION…Iván Mordisco’s dissidents, self-styled central staff accept the murder of three minors in Putumayo. This statement is dated May 21, but it is only known until today. pic.twitter.com/16nVNZYmb0
— William Parra (@William_Garra) May 24, 2023
“The enemy seeks to take advantage”
In the letter, the EMC asserted that “the enemy seeks to take advantage of the vulnerability of the indigenous peoples” and therefore “infiltrates” the guerrilla camps to “demoralize”, “co-opt militants” and “violate” their statutes.
According to this armed group, with whom Petro had agreed a ceasefire last December, external factors induce indigenous guerrillas to “commit serious crimes,” such as the location of camps, commanders, and other intelligence operations, to “create an environment of combat in the area and continue with the dirty campaign”.
“We will assume our responsibility, acknowledging the mistakes made and assuming clear commitments for reparation with the communities,” says the letter, referring to the groups originating from the Amazon region.
Although it was these deaths that precisely caused the suspension of the ceasefire, the dissidents of ‘Iván Mordisco’ express in the text their “iron commitment to fight for peace with social justice”.
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