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Kidnappings Imperil Talks With Rebels in Colombia Kidnappings Imperil Talks With Rebels in Colombia
(about 3 hours later)
CARACAS, Venezuela — The recent kidnappings of two police officers in Colombia by the country’s largest rebel group have cast a shadow over peace talks between the rebels and the government, disheartening a nation weary of the decades-old conflict.CARACAS, Venezuela — The recent kidnappings of two police officers in Colombia by the country’s largest rebel group have cast a shadow over peace talks between the rebels and the government, disheartening a nation weary of the decades-old conflict.
The military also blamed the group, the Revolutionary Armed forces of Colombia, or FARC, for the kidnapping of three civilian engineers on Wednesday.The military also blamed the group, the Revolutionary Armed forces of Colombia, or FARC, for the kidnapping of three civilian engineers on Wednesday.
The first of the kidnappings, carried out nine days ago, interrupted a lull in the conflict after the start of talks last fall, and they prompted fears that the FARC might be resuming a tactic much hated by Colombians.The first of the kidnappings, carried out nine days ago, interrupted a lull in the conflict after the start of talks last fall, and they prompted fears that the FARC might be resuming a tactic much hated by Colombians.
Last February, the FARC announced that it would cease its longstanding practice of financing its activities by kidnapping civilians for ransom. In April, it released a group of 10 soldiers and police officers, some of whom had been held captive for as long as 14 years, and said they were the last of its noncivilian hostages.Last February, the FARC announced that it would cease its longstanding practice of financing its activities by kidnapping civilians for ransom. In April, it released a group of 10 soldiers and police officers, some of whom had been held captive for as long as 14 years, and said they were the last of its noncivilian hostages.
Then in August, President Juan Manuel Santos announced that he would begin peace talks with the FARC, which has been fighting the government for nearly 50 years. Mr. Santos vowed, however, that he would not agree to a cease-fire until a definitive peace pact was reached, and he said that in the meantime the government would not relent in its war against the FARC.Then in August, President Juan Manuel Santos announced that he would begin peace talks with the FARC, which has been fighting the government for nearly 50 years. Mr. Santos vowed, however, that he would not agree to a cease-fire until a definitive peace pact was reached, and he said that in the meantime the government would not relent in its war against the FARC.
Talks began in October in Norway before moving to Cuba. In November, the FARC declared a unilateral two-month cease-fire, but during that period the government accused it of breaking the truce several times.Talks began in October in Norway before moving to Cuba. In November, the FARC declared a unilateral two-month cease-fire, but during that period the government accused it of breaking the truce several times.
On Jan. 20, the rebels ended their cease-fire, and five days later the two police officers were kidnapped in the southern region of Valle del Cauca.On Jan. 20, the rebels ended their cease-fire, and five days later the two police officers were kidnapped in the southern region of Valle del Cauca.
The FARC says it distinguishes between kidnapping civilians for ransom and taking soldiers or police officers captive.The FARC says it distinguishes between kidnapping civilians for ransom and taking soldiers or police officers captive.
“We reserve the right to capture as prisoners members of the public forces who have surrendered in combat,” the group said on Tuesday. “They are called prisoners of war, and this phenomenon is found in any conflict around the world.”“We reserve the right to capture as prisoners members of the public forces who have surrendered in combat,” the group said on Tuesday. “They are called prisoners of war, and this phenomenon is found in any conflict around the world.”
That brought a swift rebuke from the government’s lead negotiator at the Havana talks.That brought a swift rebuke from the government’s lead negotiator at the Havana talks.
“A kidnapping is a kidnapping, it doesn’t matter who the victim is,” said the negotiator, Humberto de la Calle, who accused the FARC of prolonging the war.“A kidnapping is a kidnapping, it doesn’t matter who the victim is,” said the negotiator, Humberto de la Calle, who accused the FARC of prolonging the war.
“We are going to Havana to end the conflict,” he said. “And if that’s not how it is, then they should tell us once and for all so as not to waste the time of the government and Colombians.”“We are going to Havana to end the conflict,” he said. “And if that’s not how it is, then they should tell us once and for all so as not to waste the time of the government and Colombians.”
The FARC’s lead negotiator, who uses the alias Iván Márquez, shot back, saying, “The FARC has not come to waste time.”The FARC’s lead negotiator, who uses the alias Iván Márquez, shot back, saying, “The FARC has not come to waste time.”
On Friday he said that Colombians had “heard through the media the reiteration of the government’s order to intensify the war, which now, strangely, is accompanied by complaints about its consequences, while they call us cynics.”On Friday he said that Colombians had “heard through the media the reiteration of the government’s order to intensify the war, which now, strangely, is accompanied by complaints about its consequences, while they call us cynics.”
On Saturday the FARC said on its Web site that it was holding the two police officers as well as a soldier captured during combat with the military on Tuesday. It said it was prepared to free all three but did not say when.On Saturday the FARC said on its Web site that it was holding the two police officers as well as a soldier captured during combat with the military on Tuesday. It said it was prepared to free all three but did not say when.
The FARC is estimated to have kidnapped thousands of people over the past decade. That practice, and others, like planting land mines in rural areas and drug trafficking, has turned much of the country against it. Advocates for the rights of victims charge that the FARC continued to kidnap people even after it vowed to stop last year.The FARC is estimated to have kidnapped thousands of people over the past decade. That practice, and others, like planting land mines in rural areas and drug trafficking, has turned much of the country against it. Advocates for the rights of victims charge that the FARC continued to kidnap people even after it vowed to stop last year.
“Colombian society has a limited tolerance for the FARC’s lies, and the government has little margin to maneuver,” said Senator Juan Lozano, a member of the president’s party. “If people’s confidence erodes there could be a loss of support for the process, which could lead to its end,” he said, referring to the peace talks.“Colombian society has a limited tolerance for the FARC’s lies, and the government has little margin to maneuver,” said Senator Juan Lozano, a member of the president’s party. “If people’s confidence erodes there could be a loss of support for the process, which could lead to its end,” he said, referring to the peace talks.
For the time being, however, the government seems committed to continuing the talks, which initially set off a wave of hope and expectation. But at the same time many people are skeptical that a deal is possible.For the time being, however, the government seems committed to continuing the talks, which initially set off a wave of hope and expectation. But at the same time many people are skeptical that a deal is possible.
Even as the negotiators were trading barbs, the military blamed the FARC for kidnapping the three oil company engineers. The men were freed a day later.Even as the negotiators were trading barbs, the military blamed the FARC for kidnapping the three oil company engineers. The men were freed a day later.
Other events last week suggest that hostilities are resuming. The military said Wednesday that four soldiers had been killed in combat in the south. Then on Friday the government said that soldiers had killed a high-ranking FARC commander and five other guerrillas a day earlier. Other events last week suggest that hostilities are intensifying. The military said Wednesday that four soldiers had been killed in combat in the south. Then on Friday the government said that soldiers had killed a high-ranking FARC commander and five other guerrillas a day earlier.

Susan Abad contributed reporting from Bogotá, Colombia.

Susan Abad contributed reporting from Bogotá, Colombia.