FARC rejects Colombian president's claim on Venezuela's role in peace talks

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - The FARC guerrillas denied the information given by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who announced on Monday morning that Venezuela would be a guarantor country in the peace talks between the government and the rebel group.

Through a brief statement, the members of the guerrilla group that signed a peace deal with the government in 2016, said that it was not consulted about that decision and urged the Petro administration not to release announcements without prior consultation.

"We do not reject this possibility, but space must be given for discussion. No more unilateral decisions," said the dissident group on Twitter.

From the III Summit of the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States held in Brussels, Petro said that Colombia is willing to serve as the venue for the dialogues between the Venezuelan government and the opposition of that country. He added that the neighboring country is already a guarantor in two peace processes led by the Colombian government, including the one advancing with the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrilla group.

“Venezuela is a guarantor in the two peace processes that are being carried out and has also been a territorial space for dialogues. To that extent, we are willing to make room for a democratic dialogue on Venezuela," said the Colombian head of state in Belgium.

Petro had suspended the peace talks with the FARC dissidents in May after members of that insurgent group murdered four indigenous minors who had fled from their ranks.​​​​​​​