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Colombian government sets deadline for FARC to reach peace accord

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-5-25 10:33:49

Colombia's Interior Minister Fernando Carrillo on Friday asked the guerrilla group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) now in peace talks with the government to materialize a peace agreement within this year, local media reported.

"This is the deadline, there must be an agreement before this year ends or there is no agreement," said Carrillo. "If they want to transform the political system, they will have to seek elections and win."

Carrillo made the statement after the FARC conducted several raids against the army, leaving several soldiers dead.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos insisted that the peace process with the FARC will not fall into "impunity" for the armed group.

Santos has asked the people to support the peace process and not to be divided by government opponents who Santos claims do not desire peace for the South American country.

The government and the FARC are currently in the ninth round of peace talks since last November, in order to reach a peace agreement and to end internal armed conflict for nearly 50 years. The current round of peace talks, being conducted in Havana, Cuba, is scheduled to end on Saturday.

Posted in: Americas