Colombian President Santos Believes That Peace Is Possible (Interview)

Colombia's Santos Believes Peace Is Possible -- Al Jazeera

President remains cautious about FARC but tells Al Jazeera peace deal is possible if there is "goodwill" on both sides.

Colombia's president says he will not lower his guard against the country's main rebel group, but he believes a peace deal is possible if there is "goodwill" on both sides.

"If there is goodwill from both parts, we will reach an agreement much sooner than people expect," Juan Manuel Santos told Al Jazeera on Saturday, as peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), aimed at ending half a century of war between the two sides, is set to kick off next month.

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My Comment: This war has been ongoing for 50 years .... I am not optimistic that these talks will succeed.

Colombia's War Against FARC Is Heating Up

A Colombian soldier stands guard next to weapons seized from suspected FARC members. Photo AFP

Colombia Nixes Talks With FARC After Brutal Attacks -- AFP

BOGOTA — Colombia ruled out peace talks with leftist FARC rebels after they killed five soldiers and 14 police officers, some of them burned alive, Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera said.

"There's no possibility of dialogue with terrorists nor with anybody who thinks they can use violence and terror to get their point across," Rivera said in an interview with Caracol radio.

He said the new administration of President Juan Manuel Santos "will never give in to this sort of blackmail.

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More News On Colombia's War Against FARC

Colombian troops storm rebel camp -- BBC
Colombian Military Kills 11 Guerrillas -- Latin American Herald Tribune
Colombia's President Pledges Tough Action Against Rebels -- Voice of America
Santos tells Colombian military to 'get tough' with rebels -- AFP
Santos calls military summit over FARC attacks -- Colombia Reports
14 cops killed in Colombia ambush, rebels blamed -- AP
14 police killed by bomb in Colombia -- Sydney Morning Herald/AFP
UNASUR Rejects FARC`s Mediation Request -- CaribWorldNews

FARC Receives More Military Setbacks In Colombia

Colombian army flies over the Cauca area (Photo: Luis Robayo / AFP)

Colombia Nabs FARC Commander, New Paramilitary Chief -- Latin International Herald Tribune

BOGOTA – Colombian authorities captured Saturday in separate operations in the country’s northwest one of the principal leaders of the new paramilitaries and a commander of a FARC guerrilla front, officials said.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe confirmed the capture of Luis Deiber Duran, alias “Morcilla,” head of a paramilitary group known as “Los Urabeños,” in a police operation in Cordoba province.

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More News On Colombia's War Against FARC

Colombian troops capture regional rebel commander -- Earth Times
After the revolution: Why are Farc's young soldiers laying down their guns? -- The Independent
Colombian narco-terrorist sentenced to 20 years in US prison for role with FARC -- L.A. Times/AP
Farc drugs baron jailed in the US -- BBC
Top Colombian rebel gets 20 years prison in U.S. -- Reuters
Chavez admits meeting FARC commander -- Colombia Reports
Pastrana denies having authorized Chávez's meeting with FARC members -- El Universal
Colombian candidate discloses location of guerrilla members in Venezuela -- El Universal
Colombian Guerrillas Kidnap 5 Oil Workers -- Latin American Herald Tribune
Colombian journalist shot and killed -- Washington Post/Reuters

Colombian Govt Confirms Death Of FARC Leader 'Edgar Tovar'

Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva

Colombia Confirms Death of Rebel Commander -- Latin American Herald Tribune

BOGOTA – Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva confirmed the death of a leftist rebel commander who authorities said headed up the guerrillas’ drug-trafficking activities in the southern part of the country.

Angel Gabriel Lozada, alias “Edgar Tovar” – commander of the 48th Front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrilla group – was killed on Jan. 20 but it was not until Wednesday that he was identified through DNA tests.

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Update: Govt confirms death of FARC leader 'Edgar Tovar' -- Colombia Reports

My Comment: It has taken a long time for the Colombian Government to confirm this death .... but due to the importance of the target I can appreciate their caution. I do not expect the civil war in Colombia to now calm down because of this death, but the soldiers and commanders who make up FARC must be wondering if this struggle can continue at this intensity for any significant period of time.

Scores Of FARC Guerillas Killed In Airstrike While Celebrating New Years Eve

Colombia Raids Farc Jungle Base During Party -- BBC

An air strike by Colombian forces has killed at least 18 Farc rebels while they held a New Year's party in a jungle camp, officials said.

Another 13 surrendered when troops stormed the base in Meta province, the defence ministry said.

It said Friday's raid was part of an offensive to find those responsible for the death last week of the governor of the southern province of Caqueta.

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More News On Colombia

Colombia: 18 rebels killed in attacks on 2 camps -- Washington Post
Colombian forces raid Farc camp -- Al Jazeera
Colombia troops bomb rebel camp, killing 18 -- China View
Bombardment kills at least 18 Colombian rebels -- Reuters
Uribe disavows statements of aggression against Venezuela -- Colombia Reports
Two Killed in Colombian Rebel Attack -- Latin American Herald Tribune
Colombia says coca crop eradication down in 2009 -- Seattle PI/AP
Despite billions in US aid Colombia fails on coca targets -- Morning Star
Hugo Chavez claims Colombia, US could simulate attack on fake rebel camp in Venezuela -- The Canadian Press
Colombia needs to prepare for foreign threat - study -- Reuters
Colombian assassination raises fears about FARC's strength -- Washington Post
Colombia’s Peacemaker -- Newsweek
Fears grow of South American arms race -- Financial Times

Colombia's War Against FARC -- News Updates December 16, 2009

Colombia's Two Biggest Rebel Groups Say May Unite -- Reuters

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's two biggest rebel groups said on Wednesday they may join forces against the state after years of being pushed onto the defensive by the U.S.-backed security policies of President Alvaro Uribe.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) issued a surprise joint statement in which they threatened to unite with "force and belligerence" in their fight against the conservative Uribe.

The two groups, labeled terrorists by Washington, have deep ideological differences but now appear willing to consider uniting for the sake of survival.

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More News On Colombia's War Against FARC

FARC and ELN uniting -- Colombia Reports
Colombia kills rebel chieftain and his bodyguards -- Reuters
11 FARC guerrillas killed in air force bombing raid -- Colombia Reports
Uribe: Colombia will continue political persecution of FARC leaders abroad -- El Universal
Ecuador: US helped Colombia attack on FARC chief -- AP
Ecuador says U.S. helped Colombia plan '08 bombing -- Reuters
Ecuador reiterates call on Colombia to increase border surveillance -- Colombia Reports
Lessons from America's Other Counterinsurgency -- Foreign Policy