Colombia decree suspends ceasefire with Estado Mayor Central

Colombia will suspend its
ceasefire with the Estado Mayor Central (ECM) armed group in
three provinces on Wednesday, a government decree said on
Sunday, citing incidents that broke the ceasefire.
The EMC – founded by former members of the Revolutionary
Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels who reject the 2016 peace
deal signed by that group – began talks with President Gustavo
Petro’s government last year, in a bid to end its part in
Colombia’s 60 years of war.
The announcement of the end of the ceasefire did not
mention any effect on the overall negotiations.
The EMC and other rebel and armed groups often fight
each other for control of illicit income streams like drug
trafficking and illegal mining. Violence in many parts of
Colombia has continued despite ongoing bilateral government
ceasefires, such as that with the EMC.
The decree on Sunday called for “re-starting of military
operations” in three provinces, Narino, Cauca and Valle del
Cauca, as of March 20.