Colombian president ends ceasefire with drug cartel: “They are attacking civilians” | Abroad

“I have ordered the security forces to reactivate all military operations against the Clan del Golfo,” President Petro wrote on Twitter. According to the Colombian government, the drug cartel has been guilty of intimidating and attacking civilians in the northeast of the country for two weeks. “We will not allow them to continue to sow unrest and terror in our communities,” said President Petro.

The deal originally covered the left-wing ELN guerrilla movement, dissidents from the already disarmed FARC movement, and drug gangs. The agreement runs until June 30, 2023, but the ceasefire with the ELN guerrilla movement was suspended after just a few days.

The ceasefire was the main goal of the left-wing government, which came to power in August 2022, as part of its “total peace” initiative. The government is reportedly offering lenient legal treatment to members of the armed groups in exchange for disarmament.

The Clan del Golfo recruits its men from former right-wing paramilitaries. According to official estimates, the cartel is responsible for 30 to 60 percent of Colombia’s drug exports.

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