The diocese is in one of the Colombian areas most affected by the violence that lacerates the country. The guerrillas´ National Liberation Army (NLA) and the government hope to establish a «meeting zone,» to discuss the possibility of a peace agreement.
The diocese makes it views known in a document sent to Caritas-Spain, entitled «Our ´No´ Is to Violence; Our ´Yes´ Is to Peace.» It is signed by Bishop Jaime Prieto Amaya of Barrancabermeja, and by the diocesan presbytery, men and women religious, and the laity of the diocese.
In regard to the possible establishment of a meeting zone in the area between the NLA and the Colombian government, the document refers to «the lack of clarity in the rules of the game, the slowness of decisions, the lack of information and of communities´ participation.»
The text affirms that communities involved in and close to the meeting zone should participate in the process to set up the peace talks.
