Colombian Ceasefire Broken, Two FARC Rebels Killed

FARC rebels who were arrested by army troops in combat are pictured from behind alongside seized weapons at an army base in Tame, Arauca province July 21, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Filiberto Guarnizo-Defense Ministry/Handout

Bogota: Two Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels were killed in combat and another surrendered in Colombia's northern Bolivar province when they left their pre-determined zone carrying weapons, the military said on Wednesday, the first time the bilateral ceasefire has been broken.

Colombia's government and the FARC signed a peace accord in September that was rejected in a plebiscite last month.

The two sides finalised a revised deal over the weekend that aims to end 52 years of conflict that has killed more than 220,000 people and displaced millions.

Thousands of FARC fighters have been left in limbo by the rejection on October 2 of the original peace accord. Until they disarm, rebels remain in pre-determined areas and must provide coordinates to the military if they want to leave.

The rebels were extorting people in the area some 68 km (42 miles) from the area of concentration and carrying weapons, the military said in a statement.

A decision on how the new accord will be approved has not yet been made, but it appears more likely to go through Congress rather than face another national vote.

President Juan Manuel Santos ordered the ceasefire with the rebels in August.

(Reuters)

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