FARC apologises for past kidnappings

Colombia’s Marxist FARC fighters have apologised for the “great pain” they caused by kidnapping thousands of people to finance half a century of conflict. FARC, or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, acknowledged in a video recording that it had taken captives over the years but would not do so again. The fighters and government […]

Colombia’s Marxist FARC fighters have apologised for the “great pain” they caused by kidnapping thousands of people to finance half a century of conflict. FARC, or the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, acknowledged in a video recording that it had taken captives over the years but would not do so again.
The fighters and government are gearing up to sign the accord after reaching agreement on August 24 to end a war that has killed more than 220,000 people and displaced millions.
About 7,000 FARC fighters will be incorporated into society and permitted to form a political party.
“We want to acknowledge, with the sentiment of humanity and reconciliation, that during the conflict the FARC also caused great pain with the retention of people for ransom,” Ivan Marquez, FARC’s commander and lead negotiator, said in the recording.