Sponsored by the Mexican embassy in Colombia and by the Autonomous University of Guerrero in the Aztec country, the forum became a space of homage for 170 signatories of the extinct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) and another 70 from the April 19 Movement (M-19) for the work they are currently doing as promoters of peace.
In her speech, the Mexican ambassador, Patricia Ruiz, commented that wars are always provoked by states with injustice, and peace is not achieved by only laying down weapons, but by realizing the rights of the people.
He then urged the ex-insurgents to be leaders in the peace movement in Colombia, to be the leaders of social mobilization until all traces of conflict are banished, for which, he said, they can count on Mexico.
The ex-fighter of the FARC-EP, Pastor Alape, affirmed that, eight years after demobilization, the work carried out in the new battlefield has not been easy.
He then mentioned the need to strengthen the struggle to obtain the reforms that Colombia requires, but above all to remove the fear of change from the people who are under the influence of propaganda campaigns orchestrated by very powerful sectors, which have maintained war as an instrument to defend their interests and profit.
“This government is the confirmation that violence as a form of struggle makes impossible the deep and revolutionary social transformations that the continent requires. Maintaining weapons today does a favor to the sectors that oppose change in the continent,” he asserted.
For her part, the Minister of Labor, Gloria Inés Ramírez, pointed out that the event held today recognizes all those organizations that intervene in the peace process, and also reaffirms the commitment that President Gustavo Petro and Vice President Francia Márquez assume in relation to the Peace Agreement, which is a power to transform the country.
During the meeting, held at the Gabriel García Márquez Cultural Center, the former Colombian guerrillas received the Medal for Peace-Autonomous University of Guerrero, in addition to other recognitions for their contributions to the construction of peace.
Also deserving of distinction were countries that guarantee the dialogues such as Cuba, Norway, Ireland, institutions such as the International Red Cross and the United Nations, as well as other accompanying States that also lend their good offices to achieve peace in Colombia.
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