The Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia the FARC,
who are progressing in their more than year long peace negotiations, have reached
a crucial agreement to tackle illicit narcotics.
The basic overall agreement
to jointly cooperate in a campaign to help combat the illegal drug trade, when the
overall agreement is finally concluded, is fundamental and crucial. The FARC with
its influence, which encompasses vast swaythes of rural Colombia, and formidable ability
to back it up, is a major factor . Funding or tribute for safe passage of harvested
drug crops, was a major source of revenue for the FARC, in its armed civil war struggle.
During
the peace talks, so far, three of the six major issues have been agreed, namely: Land
reform, political integration and combatting drugs. The others yet to be resolved
are: Disarmament of rebel groups, Victims rights...as a result of this five decade
old conflict, and the implementation of the overall peace agreement.
The FARC
and the ELN.-the National Liberation Army, have agreed to have a temporary ceasefire
from May 20th to May 25th, for the country's Presidential Election. Mistrustful of
past betrayals, the Colombian Government has not agreed to this truce.