WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, responded to the announcement that former FARC leaders would take up arms once again.

“Yesterday, Iván Márquez and other former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) leaders announced a decision to return to arms – a decision that could have disastrous implications for the historic 2016 peace accord and the future of Colombia.

“The Colombian government must immediately work towards robust and full implementation of the peace accord. It must protect demobilized combatants who remain committed to peace, like those in the FARC political party who reaffirmed this commitment yesterday in response to the defectors’ announcement.

“Since 2016, Colombia has seen its lowest levels of violence since the 1970s — we cannot let such progress slip away.  

“The United States stands committed to our strategic partnership with Colombia at this critical time.”

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