Peace negotitions with FARC at a deadlock

(Vatican Radio) The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, also known as the FARC, are insisting that none of their members is prepared to do any jail time for the uprising which has spanned more than half a century.

Listen to James Blears' report:

FARC Representative Walter Mendoza crystalized the no jail time stance, stressing that they won't accept for peace negotiations to be connected to any form of judicial process. 

He stressed that terrorism against the State isn't comparable to rebellion against it and no FARC guerillas are willing to do jail time, now or in the future.

The confilict which started back in 1964 has cost more than quarter of a million lives and displaced millions.  Numerous atrocities have been committed, some of which could be categorized as war crimes. 

But now, the slow process of the peace negotiations could hinge on this one single, powerful emotive and controversial issue. 

Peace talks have been dragging on since 2012, and although tangible progress has been made, an end is not yet in sight.

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos staked his re-election on the talks and a chance of peace for Colombia. But he himself has said, there needs to be some sort of practical structured timetable and a deadline for conclusion- a point with which FARC negotiators fundamentally disagree.