Statement by

the Communist Party of Australia

on the murder of Alfonso Cano




por -Partido Comunista de Australia-
Statement by the Communist Party of Australia on the murder of Alfonso Cano

Australia, 6 November 2011

The Communist Party of Australia expresses its great sadness and anger at the recent murder of FARC leader Alfonso Cano and other guerrillas by the Colombian Military during a bombing strike on a camp in the south of the country. The CPA protests in the strongest possible terms the reckless escalation of the armed conflict by the government of President Santos and its unwillingness to heed the millions of voices in Colombia and around the world calling for a negotiated settlement to the conflict. The responsibility for the ongoing bloodshed belongs to the Santos government and to it alone.

Like many others, Alfonso Cano was forced by the shutting down of legitimate democratic activity into joining the armed struggle. The killing of more than 5000 members of the Patriotic Union in the 1980s left no alternative to many of its members than going into exile or joining the armed struggle in order to save their own lives and to pursue political change in their country. The international community heard the words of Alfonso Cano saying that only dialogue can lead Colombia out of its decades long armed and social conflict and it is an outrage that this call has been answered with bombs and bullets. The CPA reiterates its strong support for a humanitarian exchange of prisoners in Colombia as a first step towards ending the conflict in the country.

We call on the Colombian government to end the military attacks in the recently targeted area so as to safeguard the lives of the civilian population.

In socialism,
international@cpa.org.au