Open Letter Regarding the Conflict in the Andes from the Latin American Council of Churches

“[Make] every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3

As the Latin American Council of Churches, we are surprised by the conflict between two of our own sister countries, Ecuador and Colombia.  What started out as an announcement of the death of an important guerrilla leader of the FARC¹ in Ecuadorian territory has turned into the worst political crisis in the Andean Region in recent times. 

Ecuador denounces an attack on its sovereignty on two grounds:  The presence of the guerrillas of FARC and the military actions ordered by the Colombian government in Ecuadorian territory.  To solve this conflict, we think that it is necessary that this violation of sovereignty be condemned.  Furthermore, there should be negotiation of concrete measures to be taken so that actions like these are not repeated.  This will help to prevent the effects of the internal conflict and violence in Colombia from further harming the most vulnerable Ecuadorian population along the border due to narcotrafficking, guerrillas, paramilitary and criminal behavior. 

The violation of Ecuadorian sovereignty by Colombia has had a dramatic denouement:  Ecuador cut contact with Bogota, which was followed by Colombian authorities raising serious accusations about supposed agreements between FARC and the Correa² government. 

The Ecuadorian president said that his Colombian counterpart deceived him when he called him on the telephone on Saturday, March 1, 2008, to inform him of the death of Raul Reyes and other insurgents.  Uribe told Correa that the operations were carried out with firearms, and that shots were fired from Colombian territory.  However, none of that turned out to be true.  Images from the place of occurrence show that the attack was carried out from south to north.  This means that Colombian forces had already penetrated Ecuadorian territory, and there was no firefight as the Colombian president claimed, rather the rebels were found in their underwear, and some of the guerillas were finished off with shots into their backs.

Certainly this is the worst political crisis of the Andean region in recent times.  Several international organizations are trying to solve the conflict between the two sister nations.  Also, as a Church we want to strongly exhort the government of Colombia and Ecuador to always insist on dialog.  Our people want to live in harmony and peace.  Any other circumstances are undesirable. 

As churches in Ecuador and Colombia and members of the Latin American Council of churches we will continue to accompanying the dialog surrounding this conflict with our prayers and our vigilance, for we proclaim that, “The Lord’s hand is not to short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.”  (Isaiah 59:1)  In the grace of God, there is always a time for reconciliation that paves the way to peace. 

Regards in Christ Jesus
Quito, March 4, 2008

Rev. Nilton Giese
Interim Secretary General of the Latin American Council of Churches

¹ FARC, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
² Rafael Correa, the president of Ecuador.