Based on a previously released statement, the extension of the ceasefire begins on January 16th at zero hours (local time) and will end at midnight July 15th.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Peace reported that Decree 0016 of January 14th, 2024, signed by Minister of Defense Iván Velásquez, ordered the “suspension of offensive military and police operations, as well as acts contrary to what is established in the Protocol of Rules and Commitments agreed between the parties at the peace dialogue table. (…) The agreements and protocols signed with the Central General Staff (EMC) and those subscribed at the peace talks, regarding the bilateral ceasefire, are mandatory.”
For this purpose, the Ministry of Defense will issue the necessary guidelines to members of the Public Forces.
Under the new provision, the parties will be able to agree on new objectives of the bilateral ceasefire of a national and temporary nature, aimed at strengthening the peace process, deepening territorial transformations and replacing illicit economies, protecting the environment, participation of society and the humanitarian protection of the civilian population.
On October 16th, 2023, the Government and the EMC agreed to a first ceasefire for three months, which expires this Tuesday, January 16th, coinciding with the installation of the dialogue table with the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
As mentioned in reports, the third cycle of dialogue between the parties took place last week in Bogotá, which will last until January 20th.
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