Colombia's Gulf Clan crime gang declares holiday ceasefire
DECEMBER 10, 2018 / 9:44 PM / UPDATED 7 HOURS AGO
2 MIN READ
BOGOTA (Reuters) - The Gulf Clan crime gang, considered Colombias largest criminal organization, has declared a month-long ceasefire for Christmas and New Year and invited other armed groups to also lay down their weapons for the festivities.
The gang, also known as the Usuga Clan and the Autodefensas Gaitanistas, is accused of operating drug trafficking routes in partnership with Mexican cartels, extortion and illegal gold mining. Fighting the group is considered one of the countrys top security challenges.
We declare a unilateral ceasefire of offensive military action nationally in all of the areas where we are present, between Dec. 8, 2018 and Jan. 10, 2019, the group said in a statement posted on its website on Sunday.
We invite all armed groups who are part of the conflict to adopt a similar position to ours, always with the goal of contributing to the cause of peace, it said.
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