"Our bet for peace is a territorial peace, one where communities play a leading role, Garzon says, adding that as long as there is no comprehensive peace treaty, the Comuneros will remain at arms."
"With gold prices hitting record highs of more than $5,000 an ounce in 2026, armed factions feud over Narino's mineral wealth, taxing miners and fuelling conflict."
"The Comuneros del Sur broke away from the ELN in May 2024 after deciding the guerrilla organisation's leadership denied it autonomy during peace negotiations."
Royer Garzon, a guerrilla commander, leads Comuneros del Sur in Narino, Colombia, advocating for territorial peace and legal gold mining. The group, with about 250 fighters, has signed 12 partial accords under President Gustavo Petro's Total Peace agenda. However, delays in disarmament and fears of rival incursions threaten progress. As gold prices soar, armed factions compete for control over mineral wealth. The Comuneros del Sur broke away from the ELN seeking greater autonomy in peace negotiations, aiming to secure livelihoods through legal mining while navigating a volatile political landscape.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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