Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received of escalation of the conflict in Colombia.

According to the Conflict Analysis Resource Centre (CERAC), a local think tank, June was the most violent month since peace talks started in 2012 with a total of 83 FARC attacks recorded. The south west region of Colombia has been worst affected. For example, in Cauca there have been reports of 14 attacks, killing 4 police officers; more than 700 people displaced and damage to the Pan-American Highway. In Nariño and Putumayo, damage to infrastructure has led to significant oil spills, contaminating the water supply.

Despite this escalation, negotiations in Havana continue, focusing on victims’ reparation and the end of the conflict. We remain supportive of President Santos’ efforts to negotiate peace with the FARC and recognise the commitment on both sides to bring an end to over 50 years of conflict in Colombia.