Colombian Government Initiates Peace Talks with Clan del Golfo

Colombia's government has approved the establishment of a 'social-judicial conversation space' with the Clan del Golfo, the nation's largest criminal gang, to evaluate their willingness to accept the rule of law. The initiative aims to resolve Colombia's six-decade-long conflict and facilitate the gang's potential surrender to justice.

Colombia's government has taken a significant step towards peace by establishing a 'social-judicial conversation space' with the Clan del Golfo, the country's largest criminal gang. The initiative seeks to assess the gang's readiness to embrace the rule of law.

This decision aligns with President Gustavo Petro's efforts to end Colombia's devastating six-decade-long internal conflict, which has claimed over 450,000 lives. The Clan del Golfo, also known as the Gaitanista Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AGC), consists of around 5,000 individuals, primarily ex-members of far-right paramilitary groups.

A resolution published on Monday authorizes discussions between government representatives and the Clan del Golfo to explore terms for the gang's potential surrender to justice. Colombia's history of violent clashes between far-right paramilitaries and leftist guerrillas has been marked by significant war crimes and human rights abuses.

(With inputs from agencies.)