As peace accord with gov’t approaches Tuesday, September 13, 2016 Colombia’s FARC apologizes for kidnapping during warBOGOTA — Colombia’s Marxist FARC rebels apologized for the “great pain” they caused by kidnapping thousands of people to fund half a century of conflict as the insurgent group prepared to sign a peace accord with the government. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) said in a video recording late on Sunday that it had taken captives over the years but would not do so again. The rebels 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. Some 7,000 FARC fighters will be incorporated into society and permitted to form a political party. Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos said in an interview last week that the deal has to pass the plebiscite otherwise, he said, “more war would be a disaster.”Herald with Reuters

Source: Bueno Aires Herald September 13, 2016 04:41 UTC