Colombian government resumes talks with rebels on drugs

The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla resumed peace talks in Havana Thursday, with a focus on drug trafficking. Ivan Marquez, leader of the FARC delegation, read a statement before the talks, saying the drug trade is "a complex problem" that affects not only Colombia. FARC described drug trafficking as a "Pandora's box", and reaffirmed their stance that the drug scourge is a serious social problem "that cannot be resolved militarily." Head of the government delegation, Humberto de la Calle, said Wednesday in Bogota before departing for Havana that there won't be a true end to the conflict without resolving the problem of illegal drugs. The two sides have reached partial agreements on agrarian reform and rural development and FARC's participation in the nation's political life once the rebels sign a final peace agreement and disarm.