When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Geopolitics

Colombian President Rejects FARC Ceasefire

MERCO PRESS (Uruguay), TELESUR (Venezuela), BBC (UK), AP, REUTERS

Worldcrunch

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos rejected a proposal by FARC rebels for a bilateral ceasefire during talks next month aimed at bringing an end to half a century of war, reports MercoPress.

The call for both sides to put down their weapons while talks are under way in Norway came earlier from leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia at a news conference in Havana, Cuba, according to Reuters.

President Santos said that would not happen, and that Colombian military and police had been instructed to intensify offensive actions against the rebels, reports the AP.


Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

“There’s not going to be a ceasefire. We will not five anything until we get the final agreement, and I want to make that very clear,” the president told Telesur.

MercoPress notes that the FARC proposal and its rejection by the government could complicate the process from the start, as Santos is adamant that Colombian military operations would continue across “every centimeter” of the Andean nation.

Mr Santos added that he did not want to "repeat the mistakes of the past." This is a reference to the failed peace talks in 2002, which is believed to have given time to the FARC to regroup: the rebels used a demilitarized area the size of Switzerland to beef up their military operations and establish a multibillion-dollar drug-trafficking network, writes MercoPress.


You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Geopolitics

D.C. Or Beijing? Two High-Stakes Trips — And Taiwan's Divided Future On The Line

Two presidents of Taiwan, the current serving president, Tsai Ing-wen, and her predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou from the opposition Kuomintang party, are traveling in opposite directions these days. Taiwan must choose whom to follow.

Photo of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, is traveling to the United States today. Not on an official trip because Taiwan is not a state recognized by Washington, but in transit, en route to Central America, a strategy that allows her to pass through New York and California.

Ma Ying-jeou, a former president of Taiwan, arrived yesterday in Shanghai: he is making a 12-day visit at the invitation of the Chinese authorities at a time of high tension between China and the United States, particularly over the fate of Taiwan.

It would be difficult to make these two trips more contrasting, as both have the merit of summarizing at a glance the decisive political battle that is coming. Presidential and legislative elections will be held in January 2024 in Taiwan, which could well determine Beijing's attitude towards the island that China claims by all means, including force.

Keep reading...Show less

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

The latest