La Paz, Cesar, May 21, 2107. “It is time for us to establish ties of reconciliation, times for friendship between us; it is the time to hug each other. It is the moment of everything!” says with broke voice and tears on her eyes the sister of a FARC-EP member who stopped seeing him 21 or 22 years ago, on an August day on a year that she no longer remember.

Same like her, five more families reunited with their relatives, FARC – EP members that for more than 13, 17 or 30 years ago did not see. Even they considered them as dead. 

This first reunion of relatives took place in the municipality of La Paz -Cesar, in the Transit Normalization Zone (ZVTN, in the Spanish acronym) where about 200 FARC-EP members advance in their process of laying down of weapons and reintegrating into civilian life.

“We accomplished it”! Said the coordinator of Catholic Church Social Ministry, Daniel Morón to the FARC-EP commanders at the Normalization Zone of La Paz, Cesar. 

This first event of was supported by the Diocese of Valledupar, the National Conciliation Commission, the Episcopal Conference of the Catholic Church, and the cooperation of the Republic of Germany. According to Morón this event opened the reconciliation doors for this region.  

There is a great feeling on thee municipalities nearby because 15, 20 years ago, this region suffered violence by both extreme right and left groups.  Farms were abandoned, economy was quiet, and we can see now that farms owners are returning to the territories and are trying to produce again, there is a spirit of confidence in this moment ".

Socorro Ramírez, teacher, columnist and member of the Conciliation Commission, accompanied this reunion process. She highlighted the development that families have lived during months of work and how they evolved emotionally with these actions.

“I think it is very positive to help them to transform those fears into strength and hope. Because one can sees this wonderful growth of a force that is helping to make this possible".

The aim of Daniel Morón and his supportive team is to achieve around 100 reunions in the Transit Normalization Zones of La Paz, and the one located in the municipality of Fonseca, La Guajira.

For more photos of the event: https://www.flickr.com/photos/misiononucol/albums/72157684135420925/with/34438997960/