Among the efforts to consolidate a peace process with the dissidents of the Second Marquetalia, Peace Commissioner Otty Patiño reiterated that the national government is willing to continue dialog with the alias Iván Márquez, the leader of this armed faction.
The current situation is indicated by uncertainty about his whereabouts and direct communication with the alias Iván Márquez. Recently, the authenticity and origin of several letters attributed to the guerrilla leader have been questioned, suggesting an attempt to distance himself from the operational areas of the Second Marquetalia. According to Patiño, in statements to Caracol Radio, this division does not indicate that the peace process will completely collapse.
“The process continues with them, of course, and that’s the most valuable thing,” he explained.
Armando Novoa, the head of the government delegation in the negotiations, previously indicated that the dialogues are seeking a comprehensive approach, taking into account the demands of the communities affected by the conflict and defining the participation of the armed structures in the transition to the peace
Peace Commissioner Otty Patiño emphasized that the peace process with the Second Marquetalia is continuing its course, despite the internal division and doubts about the letters of Iván Márquez - credit Europa PressThe letters from “Iván Márquez” unleashed an internal break in the armed group, as in his letter, the guerrilla leader denounced a meeting with the Government and ordered not to continue using the name of the Second Marquetalia. In response, the Border Commandos and Pacific Guerrilla Coordination – dissident factions that were part of this group - announced that they would stop using that name and continue the peace process with the Government.
Despite their respect for the dissident leader’s decision, these groups stressed that peace should not depend on an individual, and reiterated
For this reason, Otty Patiño shared his concern about the nature of the messages attributed to the leader of the dissident FARC faction mentioned above, pointing out the lack of clear evidence about their authorship: “Of all these audio-visual communication mechanisms, since the messages were written in a way that is not even communication, not even auditory, much less audio-visual in a way, It is always suspected, they say, that Márquez’s language is not the language expressed in the letters, But hey, that’s another problem.”
Otty Patiño expressed his concern about the lack of evidence to support the letters of Iván Márquez, which discourages meetings with the Government – credit Alexa Rochi/ColpensaIn the same way, the representative of the government administration stressed that, if the letter was true, the negotiations with the Second Marquetalia areas would continue as planned in the previous dialog cycles: “If new letters arrive or if the “Iván Márquez” arrives together. He himself expresses that the Government would be willing to continue with the peace process.”
Despite these doubts, the Government chose to maintain its willingness to proceed with the previously agreed agreements. This position seeks to guarantee that the commitments reached in the first cycle of negotiations with the Second Marquetalia will not be jeopardized.
“There are two possibilities: or that he (Iván Márquez) wants a separate dialog, which we are also willing to do, or that we say come together again to be able to say that there would be a dialog and a joint process in either case, we are willing”, noted Patiño to the medium in question.
In the middle of the tension related to the peace talks with the Second Marquetalia, with FARC dissidents, the head of the delegation of the national government Armando Novoa revealed the serious difficulties facing the process due to the lack of concrete answers from the aliases of Ivan Marquez. The commissioner emphasized that the progress of the negotiations depends on the certainty that there is a real mediator, but that the current situation is like dealing with a “ghost”.
Negotiator Armando Novoa expressed his frustration at the lack of contact with ‘Iván Márquez’, from the Second Marquetalia – credit Luisa González/Reuters – ColprensaOn November 17, in an interview with Radio Blue, Novoa said that the delegation has been trying to establish an effective contact with the leader of the Second Marquetalia for more than six months, but so far their efforts have been unsuccessful: “We have sent proposals through different channels and guarantor countries. However, dialog cannot progress through
In this sense, the delegate said: “We could say that the progress of the dialog table depends on making sure that the mediator is really there, but in the case of ‘Iván Márquez’ it would seem that we wanted him to do that. to engage in dialog with a ghost, and in those conditions it is extremely difficult to proceed.”
What are the main challenges facing the Second Marquetalia negotiations according to Otty Patiño?
Title: Voices of Peace: An Interview on the Future of the Second Marquetalia Negotiations
Interviewee: Otty Patiño, Peace Commissioner of Colombia
Interviewer: Editor of Time.news
Editor: Welcome, Otty Patiño. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today to discuss the ongoing peace process with the Second Marquetalia. Given the recent turbulence with Iván Márquez’s communications, what does the current landscape look like for the negotiations?
Patiño: Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed complex. While there are doubts about the authenticity and origin of several letters attributed to Iván Márquez, I want to emphasize that our commitment to maintaining dialog remains steadfast. We believe that continuing the peace process is crucial, even in the face of these challenges.
Editor: There has been speculation about internal divisions within the Second Marquetalia, especially regarding Márquez’s recent letters. Can you elaborate on how these internal fractures affect the peace process?
Patiño: The letters he purportedly authored have indeed raised questions; they seemed to create a rift within the armed group itself. Some factions announced they would stop using the name ‘Second Marquetalia’ and expressed their intent to continue negotiations with us. This shows that while individual voices can attempt to steer the narrative, the desire for peace within certain factions persists, which is encouraging.
Editor: In light of the skepticism surrounding Márquez’s letters, how does the government plan to ensure that the peace talks will not derail?
Patiño: We continue to focus on the established agreements and the broader objectives of the peace process. I believe it’s vital that we do not allow the actions of one individual to impact the commitments made on behalf of communities affected by conflict. If Márquez wishes to engage again, we are open. Alternatively, if he opts for separate dialog, we remain willing to pursue that as well.
Editor: You mentioned doubts about the language and clarity of Márquez’s messages. How significant is effective communication in these negotiations?
Patiño: Effective communication is paramount. We’ve seen far too many messages that lack clarity or authenticity, which complicates dialogues. This can lead to misunderstandings and erosion of trust. As I said, the way in which these recent messages were presented raises eyebrows; they do not reflect the robust communication required for productive negotiations.
Editor: Some analysts have suggested that peace should not hinge on an individual leader like Márquez. Do you share that sentiment?
Patiño: Absolutely. Peace is a collective responsibility, and it should not be contingent upon any single individual. The voices of the communities affected by violent conflicts must be prioritized, and we are committed to incorporating their needs and demands into our negotiations.
Editor: Looking forward, what are the immediate next steps that the government is considering in facilitating ongoing peace efforts, considering the uncertainties?
Patiño: We will continue to maintain open lines of communication and outreach. We will also uphold the agreements made in previous cycles while remaining flexible to adapt to emerging situations. As more information becomes available or if Iván Márquez decides to engage once again, we will address those developments appropriately. Our goal is to ensure that the organizations involved remain focused on peace and reconciliation.
Editor: It’s reassuring to hear about your commitment to peace despite the complexities involved. Thank you for sharing your insights, Otty Patiño.
Patiño: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we keep this dialog alive to foster understanding and continue moving toward a more peaceful future for Colombia.
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[End of Interview]
Through this interview, we gain a clearer understanding of the challenges and hope surrounding the peace process with Second Marquetalia, highlighting the ongoing complexities managing communication and internal dynamics within armed factions.