About 100 guerrillas from the National Coordinating Committee of the Bolivarian Army surrendered their arms in southern Colombia’s Putumayo department on Thursday, marking a significant step towards peace negotiations with the government.
The gesture is a first step for the guerrillas to seek agreements with the government on disarmament and their legal status.
The group broke away from the FARC, which laid down arms in 2016 after half a century of war with the government.
They are the only guerrilla group making progress in peace negotiations with President Gustavo Petro’s administration.
“It’s a very strong and powerful message for Colombian society at this time when there’s so much noise about war,” said Armando Novoa, head of the government’s peace delegation for the guerrilla group.
The surrender represents a crucial milestone for Petro’s “total peace” policy, which is under question as the country prepares for a runoff presidential election on Sunday.
Affiliates of the president are competing against the far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who opposes the peace initiative. Petro is set to hand over power to the winner on August 7.
Cover image: © France 24 
The gesture has been hailed as a powerful message for Colombian society.