WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (KUNA) -- The US revoked the designations of the Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday.
Blinken said in a statement "following a 2016 Peace Accord with the Colombian government, the FARC formally dissolved and disarmed. It no longer exists as a unified organization that engages in terrorism or terrorist activity or has the capability or intent to do so." He added that the decision to revoke the designation "does not change the posture with regards to any charges or potential charges in the United States against former leaders of the FARC, including for narcotrafficking." He affirmed "however, it will facilitate the ability of the United States to better support implementation of the 2016 accord." Meanwhile, Blinken announced the designation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, Peopleآ’s Army (FARC-EP) and Segunda Marquetalia, as FTOs.
"The designation of FARC-EP and Segunda Marquetalia is directed at those who refused to demobilize and those who are engaged in terrorist activity," he stressed.
"We are also designating the respective leaders of those organizations, Luciano Marin Arango, Hernan Dario Velasquez Saldarriaga, Henry Castellanos Garzon, Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernandez, Miguel Santanilla Botache, and Euclides Espana Caicedo, as SDGTs," he continued. (end) si.mt