WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The Obama administration should reject requests the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) militant group to release its captured members from US custody, and maintain the long-standing principles behind the US-Columbia partnership, US Senator Marco Rubio said in a letter to newly appointed US Special Envoy for the Columbian Peace Process, Bernie Aronson.
“I urge you to keep in mind the victims of actions taken by FARC and firmly commit to seeking out those criminals who are still wanted in Colombia as you assume your new duties,” Rubio said in the letter issued on Thursday.
“Colombians have suffered for far too long as a result of the violence inflicted by the FARC, an organization considered a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States and the European Union. We should do all we can to ensure the ongoing negotiations and any potential outcomes do not weaken the integrity of our bilateral security efforts,” he said.
Rubio requested Aronson to reaffirm that the United States will not negotiate with terrorists, will continue to seek trails for individuals who violate US laws and will seek aerial eradication of cocoa fields and provide, according to the letter.
Rubio also requested that Aronson provide regular updates to US Congress on the FARC negotiations with an assessment on their impact on US national security.
Rubio chairs the US Senate’s Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues.
