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85 former FARC fighters have been killed in Columbia since 2016 Peace Deal

The United Nations reports that 85 former FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia) rebels have been killed since the signing of the peace agreement with the Columbian government in 2016. 

UN Secretary General, António Guterres, notes that 14 ex-members of FARC were “murdered” within the last three months. The majority of these deaths fell in areas formerly occupied by FARC and where there is little state apparatus. This has allowed for other militant groups and reported drug gangs to exercise control in these regions. 

The UN called upon Columbian President, Ivan Duque, to do more to protect these former fighters. President Duque stood in opposition to the 2016 peace agreement which he saw as being too lenient on FARC. The peace accords were passed under the former President  Juan Manuel Santos. This attempted to bring an end to the 52 year conflict and ensured that the 7,000 FARC fighters surrendered their weapons and pursue a political process. As a political party they have gained five seats in the Senate and five in the House of Representatives. Despite the peace agreement 1,600 FARC rebels remained active and had continued to fight against the government and drug trafficking activities.

The UN has also raised concerns over the fact that more than 400 activists have been killed since 2016.

See more from the BBC here and Al Jazeera here.

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