COLOMBIA

Colombia will promote genetic probes to identify victims of the armed conflict via a new lab, which will ease the recognition of thousands of bodies found in mass graves, said RCN La Radio.»

Torrential rains caused a landslide early Monday in the northwest department of Antioquia, Colombia that left at least 40 dead and an unknown number of persons missing, stated Colombian authorities.»

The delegations of FARC-EP and the Colombian government to the peace talks in Colombia resumed the 36th cycle on Sunday, focusing on the issue of victims of the conflict.»

The Colombian military will stop bombing FARC camps for one month, President Juan Manuel Santos announced.»

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) urged the government to agree on a ceasefire and demanded a more active participation of the citizens to put an end to the conflict.»

Gladys Bejerano, Vice President of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, arrived in Bogota leading the island’s delegation that attends the inauguration of Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos.»

Candidate for Democratic Center Oscar Ivan Zuluaga won yesterday the largest number of votes in the first round of the presidential elections, with 29.26 percent so far.»

About 430 000 military men will be deployed in Colombia to guard the presidential elections next Sunday, when five candidates will fight for ruling the country during the period 2014-2018.»

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Wednesday dismissed Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro after a court confirmed charges of disqualification and mismanagement against him.»

The Colombian insurgency delegation holding peace talks with the government of its country presented in Havana some proposals on the anti-drug policy, related to the fourth item of the agenda.»