The demobilised Colombian rebel group Farc says it is suspending political campaigning for upcoming elections following threats to its candidates. Farc signed a peace deal with the government in 2016 and announced last year it was forming a political party. However, protesters have disrupted its rallies, particularly those for leader Rodrigo Londoño, known as Timochenko, who is running for president. On Friday the party demanded “security guarantees” for its candidates.
Farc was previously known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and is campaigning for congressional and presidential elections under the name Revolutionary Alternative Force of the Common People, using the same acronym.
Under the terms of the peace deal, Farc is guaranteed five seats in each of the two chambers of parliament.
Vice-presidential candidate Imelda Daza told Colombia‘s Blu Radio that the party demanded the government provide better security to control “mobs” who were attacking and threatening Timochenko and other candidates.
Full Article: Colombia‘s Farc suspends election campaigning over ‘threats‘ to candidates.