Colombian Rebel Group to Spare UN COP16 Biodiversity Conference

Colombia's Estado Mayor Central rebel faction announced it will refrain from attacking the UN's COP16 biodiversity conference in Cali, despite rejecting a 2016 peace deal. The group's leader, Ivan Mordisco, confirmed this move as a peace gesture. Earlier, the group had threatened disruption amid failed peace negotiations.

A faction of Colombia's rebel group, the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), has declared it will not attack the United Nations' COP16 biodiversity conference in Cali later this year.

The EMC comprises dissident former FARC fighters who rejected a 2016 peace deal with Colombia's government. Their top leader, Nestor Gregorio, revered by his nom de guerre 'Ivan Mordisco,' made the announcement in a video message on Tuesday, portraying it as a peace gesture.

Earlier this month, the EMC warned that COP16 would 'fail,' raising concerns that they might target the event amid stalled peace negotiations. The government ended a ceasefire with EMC factions under Mordisco on July 16, though a truce with other EMC factions will continue for three more months.

(With inputs from agencies.)