In Colombia’s central Meta department, a deadly incident has left at least three people dead, reportedly linked to members of the EMC, the Central General Staff. This comes amid ongoing government peace talks and a bilateral ceasefire in place, a context many observers describe as fragile and evolving.
Governor Juan Guillermo Zuluaga expressed his condemnation in a video statement, detailing the violence that struck the municipality of Vista Hermosa. He described a case where a young farming couple, a husband and wife, were murdered during an extortion attempt, the shooting leaving their community shaken. The governor also reported that a peace signatory was killed in Mesetas that same morning, and local sources indicated it was perpetrated by forces aligned with the opposition. The slain ex-FARC member was identified as Yesid Octavio Morales, a tourism entrepreneur who operated Charco Azul in Mesetas, underscoring the personal and economic toll of these acts.
According to the Institute for Development and Peace Research (Indepaz), 406 former FARC members have died since the 2016 peace agreement between the guerrilla group and the government. Of those, 42 homicides have occurred this year, highlighting a troubling pattern of violence that persists even as political negotiations continue in various forums across the country.
These violent events unfolded just one day after the EMC announced it would suspend kidnapping for ransom and proceeds related to extortion, while stopping short of providing a concrete timeline for the release of those detained. The EMC also reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing peace talks with the government, signaling a potential new cycle of negotiations scheduled to take place in Bogotá from January 9 to 18, 2024, as reported by regional officials and observers.
In a broader appeal for national action, Governor Zuluaga urged the central government to implement measures aimed at reducing violence in the region. He urged authorities to address questions about ongoing killings, extortion schemes, forced recruitment of minors, the presence of landmines, and the overall pressure faced by communities living in Meta and neighboring districts. The statement reflects a call for comprehensive security and social programs to protect civilians amid a volatile security landscape.