Colombia Rebel Commander Turns Self In

A commander from Colombia’s largest rebel group surrendered and, flanked by the country’s president and top generals Monday, urged his former comrades-in-arms to do the same. Rafael Rojas, who said he was a 20-year veteran of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the commander of the group’s 46th Front, was the highest-ranking member of the rebel army to turn himself in, authorities said. His surrender Friday was reportedly mediated by a Roman Catholic priest. President Alvaro Uribe on Monday introduced Rojas at a nationally televised news conference at a military base in the coastal city of Cartagena. Rojas urged other members of the 16,000-strong FARC — as the rebel group is known — to also surrender, saying the 38-year war has brought only ruin to this South American country. “Positive things have not resulted,” said Rojas, wearing a blue denim shirt and blue jeans. “On the contrary, the prolonged war has left only desolation and destruction.” Rebels who desert the FARC and other guerrilla armies are put up in protected housing and given the opportunity to change their identities. They also have access to health care, education and work training under the government program. Full Story