Colombian authorities, rebels agree to ceasefire

The Colombian government and the rebels of the Central General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have announced a ceasefire. The office of Colombian Peace Commissioner Danilo Rueda announced that an agreement had been reached.

According to a preliminary agreement, the authorities and rebels suspended offensive actions to protect civilians, Kommersant reports. The delegations of the parties agreed that more detailed preliminary preparations are needed to implement all ceasefire mechanisms, so the authorities intend to issue an official ceasefire decree on October 16.

“We inform the peasant, indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, as well as the social and popular movements of Colombia, local and national authorities, the international community and the Colombian people as a whole: as of today, the parties have decided to end the war and continue the peace process initiated between the Colombian State and the Central General Staff of the FARC, as a way to realize a stable and lasting peace with social and environmental justice,” the parties said in a joint statement.