BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia will suspend a ceasefire with the Estado Mayor Central (ECM) armed group in three provinces on Wednesday, a government decree said on Sunday, citing incidents that broke the ceasefire.
EMC (NYSE:) – founded by former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) who reject the 2016 peace deal signed by that group – began talks with President Gustavo Petro’s government last year, in an effort to end his part in Colombia’s 60-year war.
The announcement of the end of the ceasefire did not mention any effect on the negotiations as a whole.
The EMC and other rebel and armed groups often fight each other for control of illicit income streams such as drug trafficking and illegal mining. Violence in many parts of Colombia has continued despite ongoing bilateral ceasefires by governments, such as the one with the EMC.
Sunday’s decree called for the “resumption of military operations” in three provinces, Nariño, Cauca and Valle del Cauca, starting March 20.