Reyes was not a Terrorist

The death of Raul Reyes could bring a blockage in the negotiations between the FARC and the national and international mediators, believe experts consulted by Mostra.

Raul Reyes, a member of the secretariat of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), who passed away the morning of this Saturday victim of a surprise bombing of the Colombian army, it was not a "terrorist" as we have wanted to believe, as the secretary felt general of the Communist Party of Colombia, Jaime Caicedo.

In exclusive interview to Mostra from Bogota, Caicedo Reyes explained that he was a man of humble origin, and that thanks to his ability "self" managed to become a person with major responsibilities in the international. "Almost all speakers, from the church to representatives of foreign governments had contact with this person."

"We can say with perfect clarity that was not a terrorist, that it was not as a bandit wanted to show triunfalista criterion in the case is now referred to his death in the middle of a military battle," explained the Colombian political.

The Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos confirmed on Saturday the death of guerrilero of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) Luis Edgar Devia, better known as Raul Reyes, who was assassinated by the army in that country during an operation started in the department of Putumayo (south), and then ventured into Ecuadorian territory.

The murder of Reyes comes just two days after the unilateral release by the FARC of four former Colombian congressmen, as a gesture of gratitude to the Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, whose mediation of a humanitarian agreement was abruptly interrupted by his counterpart Alvaro Uribe.

With regard to the situation of more than 35 detained "exchangeable" that the insurgency still retained and which seeks exchange for about 500 guerrilla prisoners, Caicedo expressed concern for their safety and urged Bogota to not attempt a rescue "blood and fire. "

"People who are hostages at risk and I think that is required by the FARC a political sense of humanity in relation to the treatment of this for the pursuit of humanitarian exit. On the part of government not to attempt any rescue military blooded and fire, "he said. "

The analyst felt that the conservative government of President Alvaro Uribe must relax its traditional posture characterized by the "rudeness".

"The position of the Colombian government has been an unyielding stand in a position of great rudeness. Seems that I should look at the new circumstances and after the successful free six people unilaterally by the insurgents how to move in that search for the humanitarian agreement, "he said. "

"The government should, in a gesture of openness, more flexible conditions to facilitate their progress to be made in this humanitarian exchange," he added. "

The military operation that killed Reyes started in the southern Putumayo department and then ventured into Ecuadorian territory.

Communication problems with mediators

Carlos Lozano, director of the Colombian newspaper La Voz and facilitator of peace in the armed conflict, warned that the absence of Reyes could bring communication problems between the FARC and the spokesmen of the national government and foreign authorities friends.

"Undoubtedly there will be a communication problem because Raul Reyes was a kind of guide, an intermediary in the communication between the so-called facilitators and mediators with the secretariat and that because it will surely touch rebuilt. Remains to be seen as far such contacts Reyes advanced to publicly with facilitators and friendly countries were also detected by the military interference, "explained. "

"The death of Raul Reyes is a very hard blow to the FARC guerrillas. Was one of the most important leaders of this organization for many years and his main political spokesman public. Era who led the so-called international front of the FARC and advanced diplomatic contacts depending on political solutions to the conflict and the humanitarian exchange, "he added. "

He was hopeful that the decline in such an important member of the armed group "does not affect" the political decisions that had assumed the FARC.

"I hope that this gap that leaves Raul Reyes would not affect the decisions that have already been taken in the political," ended. "