About 2,000 more members of Colombia's right-wing paramilitary groups have disarmed as the peace process winds down.
Over the process, a total of 26,000 members of the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, also known by its acronym AUC, have laid down their arms, the BBC reports. In return, they get shorter prison terms.
Jorge Cuareni, commander of the AUC's northern bloc, the last major force in the group to down arms, spoke at a ceremony, warning left-wing rebels. Cuareni is wanted in the United States on drug charges.
"We, the people of Colombia, will not forgive them if they don't take steps toward peace," Cuareni said.
The AUC began as a private security force for ranchers against Colombia's Marxist guerrillas. But the organization soon became involved in drug trafficking.
No former paramilitary members have been convicted of war crimes, the BBC reports. But candidates backed by the former AUC are expected to win 30 percent of the seats in upcoming paramilitary elections.
© Copyright 2006 by United Press International
