Medical and Hospital News
WAR REPORT
Colombia FARC dissidents agree to end kidnapping for ransom
Colombia FARC dissidents agree to end kidnapping for ransom
by AFP Staff Writers
Bogota (AFP) Dec 13, 2023

A splinter rebel group that chose not to take part in a sweeping 2016 peace accord said on Tuesday it would no longer engage in kidnapping for ransom.

The announcement was the first major gain reached from ongoing peace talks between the Colombian government and the FARC breakaway faction known as the Central General Command, or EMC Group.

Both parties signed a statement with the agreement, which promised an end to "the practice of retention for economic purposes."

Peace talks with the EMC restarted in mid-November after the group briefly walked away from the discussions.

In addition, the government of left-wing Colombian President Gustavo Petro said it would investigate "complaints concerning alliances of members of security forces... with illegal structures" and to look into " urgent situations" of imprisoned EMC members.

Another round of negotiations is set for January 9 to 18 in Bogota.

The EMC is the most influential group of FARC rebels who refused the peace deal the insurgency signed with the government.

A shaky cease-fire reached in January remains in effect, despite multiple violations that have at times threatened to derail peace talks.

Petro, the first leftist to come to power in Colombia's history, has sought to defuse six decades of conflict between the security forces, leftist guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and drug gangs.

But the Defense Ministry has recorded an increase in kidnappings during the first year of his government, which began in August 2022.

The opposition claims that his "Total Peace" policy has limited the actions of the police and military

Related Links
Space War News

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
WAR REPORT
Israel carries out strikes near Damascus: Syrian state media
Damascus (AFP) Dec 11, 2023
Israel carried out air strikes near Syria's capital Damascus late Sunday, Syrian state news agency SANA said. "At around 23:05 (2105 GMT) the Israeli enemy carried out an air assault... targeting various points on the outskirts of Damascus," a security source told the agency. "Our anti-aircraft defences shot down some missiles while others caused limited material damage." An AFP correspondent reported strong explosions in the suburbs of Damascus, which have been previously targeted by strike ... read more

WAR REPORT
Winter rain compounds suffering of displaced Gazans

Australian disaster crews tally damage from Cyclone Jasper

Tekniam and Rivada Collaborate to Enhance Emergency Communications and Disaster Recovery

France calls Dubai deal a 'victory' on climate and nuclear

WAR REPORT
Airbus presents first flight model structure for Galileo Second Generation

Galileo Gen2 satellite production commences at Airbus facility

Galileo Second Generation satellite aces first hardware tests

PASSport project testing

WAR REPORT
Smoking shrinks brain, says study linking cigarettes to Alzheimer's, dementia

Wild birds analyze grunts, whistles made by human honey-hunters

Languages are louder in the tropics

New Archaeological Discoveries Shed Light on Austronesian Migration

WAR REPORT
Climate change, human activity add nearly 2,000 species to threatened list

Colombia steps up to hold UN biodiversity talks

Singapore bids farewell to China-bound panda cub

Green turtles fight to survive against Pakistan's urban sprawl

WAR REPORT
Chinese laud 'great' Gao Yaojie, dissident doctor and AIDS whistleblower

Cholera claims 23 lives in Ethiopia: charity

Climate change could upturn world malaria fight: WHO

Suffering from flu, Pope Francis cancels COP28 trip

WAR REPORT
Philippines summons Chinese envoy over maritime confrontations

Freedom and dignity: Millennial Chinese leave China for Thailand

Papua New Guinea will not be 'reckless' with China loans: PM

China blasts UK's 'malicious intentions' after Cameron meets Hong Kong dissident

WAR REPORT
Australian, American charged with running crypto Ponzi scheme

Bitzlato founder pleads guilty to running 'criminal' US crypto exchange

US detained five who boarded tanker off Yemen: Pentagon

The fallen kings of crypto

WAR REPORT
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.