Bogotá - The tripartite Mechanism to monitor and verify the bilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities is investigating an incident that took place on November 13 in the municipality of Santa Rosa, south of the department of Bolivar, Colombia, which resulted in the deaths of two members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP). The situation of a third FARC-EP member, unharmed, is being investigated.

The joint Mechanism, with the Government of Colombia, the FARC-EP and coordinated by the UN Mission, immediately began to investigate and is assessing the incident and the circumstances surrounding it. Upon completing the investigation, the tripartite Mechanism will issue the necessary recommendations to avoid recurrence of such incidents.

The tripartite Mechanism deeply regrets and expresses concern about the first deaths since the beginning of the Bilateral Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities, on August 29.

The tripartite Mechanism is monitoring and verifying the ceasefire under the protocol agreed by the parties on October 13. According to this protocol, the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP agreed "not to enter armed contact" and "to maintain the discipline and control of the units so as not to generate acts or incidents that endanger the ceasefire", among other commitments.

As part of its mandate, the Mechanism is also investigating another alleged incident in the southwestern part of the country, in the municipality of Tumaco, department of Nariño.

The Mechanism calls upon the parties to facilitate the flow of information and to maintain communications that enable the tripartite Mechanism’s coordination. Likewise, the Mechanism reiterates that it is open to receiving information from social organizations and the civilian population directly.

Finally, the tripartite Mechanism highlights the importance of maintaining the parties’ commitment to respect the Bilateral Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities.