Colombian rebels abandon peace deal

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) declared a return to arms late Wednesday. Former rebel commander Luciano Marín, known by his alias Iván Márquez, appeared in a 30-minute video announcement with about 20 armed guerillas. He condemned Colombian President Iván Duque and his allies for not stopping the murders of 150 former rebels since the two sides signed a peace deal in 2016.

What were the conditions of peace? Under the agreement, FARC became a political party and received some congressional seats. About 7,000 rebels turned in their weapons. “When we signed the accord in Havana, we did so with the conviction that it was possible to change the life of the most humble and dispossessed,” Marín said. “But the state hasn’t fulfilled its most important obligations, which is to guarantee the life of its citizens and especially avoid assassinations for political reasons.”

Dig deeper: Read Jamie Dean’s WORLD Magazine report on local pastors preaching the gospel amid the persistent violence.