Colombian peace process moves to Switzerland

Leaders of Colombia's largest guerrilla group and government officials are coming to Switzerland this week as part of a plan to end the South American country's four decades-old conflict.

Leaders of Colombia’s largest guerrilla group and government officials are coming to Switzerland this week as part of a plan to end the South American country’s four decades-old conflict. The government’s chief peace negotiator, Victor Ricardo, also plans to hold peace talks with the delegates from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The two sides will be studying Switzerland’s socio-economic system during the latest stage of a European tour that began earlier this month. It also takes in Sweden, Norway, Italy and Spain. Colombian officials and guerrilla leaders have been discussing the peace process for more than a year.

The FARC delegation is led by Raul Reyes, Joaquin Gomes and Fabian Ramirez. All three are wanted in Colombia and, to allow them to take part in the European tour, the government had to suspend arrest warrants against them on charges of kidnapping, terrorism and sedition.

From staff and wire reports