The recent tensions in the peace talks between the national government and the coordinator of the National Bolivarian Army reveal fundamental differences of opinion that complicate the continuity of negotiations.
The exclusive statement of retired Colonel Jaime Ariza Snail radio examines the background to his departure from the negotiating team and reveals fault lines that go beyond personal differences and affect the foundations of the peace process.
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The first moment of rupture, as Ariza explained, was marked by the government’s response to an incident in Putumayo.
“The situation that arose in Putumayo The cremation of an officer and a soldier at the end of August and beginning of September this year was the starting point or breaking point.”
For the colonel, the institutional and political response to these events was inadequate, leading to serious differences with the negotiating team.
Adding to this initial crisis was the negotiating team’s rejection of a secret document from the Acore analysis group, which raised concerns about the peace process.
“That was not well received by the other delegates and the chief negotiator, and that caused a separation that led to the chief negotiator’s decision … that I leave the table,” Jaime Ariza said Snail radio.
The retired military officer explained that this series of disagreements left him no room for maneuver in the talks.
The lack of clarity and emphasis in assigning responsibility for the events in Putumayo had a decisive influence on the deterioration of the relationship between Ariza and the rest of the team.
“It is absolutely clear that those who have territorial and social control in this area, like Putumayo, are border commandos.”Colonel Jaime Ariza said Snail radio.
In his opinion, the negotiations ignored this fact and prolonged the process without addressing the consequences of the violence.
According to Ariza, the team’s hesitant attitude was also reflected in the official reaction to the extradition request for Joani Rojas alias Araña, the head of the border command.
“If there is a good will for peace, if you want this man not to move, then it has already been proven that he had a definite will for peace with an irrevocable immobilization.”said the colonel, He emphasized that this vision was not accepted by those responsible for the process and led to his final departure from the team.
Ariza’s words are a defense of the military’s commitment to peace, but also a clear warning about the limits of negotiations.
“Peace is a supreme good, but peace does not justify everything. “You cannot justify negotiating, continuing to negotiate the rule of law, continuing to negotiate impunity, continuing to negotiate many situations that are worsening for regions and communities.” Jaime Ariza remarked.
The colonel insisted that the search for a negotiated solution must be expeditious and realistic given the groups that have expanded their influence during the talks.
The relevance of actors such as the border commandos and the need to avoid excessive concessions to prevent the spread of new dissidents are responsible for the complexities and pressures associated with reaching a consensus on peace in Colombia.
The strategic differences and the lack of consensus on responsibility for violent events have called into question the viability of the peace dialogues between the government and the National Coordinator of the Bolivarian Army, preventing the extension of the process from increasing insecurity and weakening institutional support for the agreement.
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