Colombia sees new peace breakthrough as 100 rebels hand over arms

About 100 guerrillas laid down their weapons Thursday in a jungle area of southern Colombia under a deal with leftist President Gustavo Petro, who has sought peace with armed rebels, AFP has learned.

Some 99 rebels from the National Coordinating Committee of the Bolivarian Army surrendered their arms in the southern department of Putumayo, three days before a runoff election that will determine the country's next president.

It represents the most significant success of Petro's "total peace" plan, after his failed attempts to reach agreements with the country's armed groups.

Wearing camouflage, the rebels left their rifles in a giant container bearing the slogan: "I bet on life, I fulfill my commitment to peace." 

The gesture is a first step for them to seek agreements with the government on disarmament and their legal status.

The guerrillas broke away from the FARC group which laid down arms in 2016 after half a century of war with the government. 

They are the only guerrilla group making progress in peace negotiations with Petro.

"It's a very strong and powerful message for Colombian society at this time when there's so much noise about war," said Armando Novoa, head of the government's peace delegation for the guerrilla group.

The fate of Petro's "total peace" policy hangs in the balance.

Colombians vote on Sunday in a run-off presidential election between Petro ally Senator Ivan Cepeda, who promises to continue the peace initiative, and far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, who opposes it.

Petro will hand over power to the victor on August 7.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)