Former FARC commander Jesus Santrich has suspended the hunger strike after 40 days. 

The decision was taken to respond to the international and national community call. Santrich had been moved to a religious facility, the Foundation Caminos de Libertad, from the Bogota’s hospital he had been transferred to after suffering health problems while in La Picota prison. 
In a letter explaining his decision to suspend the hunger strike, Santrich wrote: “In response to the clamour of those voices, considering the mentioned rays of hope and understanding the political nature of my cause, I have taken the decision to temporarily suspend my hunger strike”.

Santrich has been detained following a clear conspiracy and set up and accused of drug related crimes. The US was quick to ask his extradition. 

Following various complaints, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace has released a statement saying that according to the Final Peace Agreement signed in Havana on 24 November 2016 by the Colombian Government and the former FARC guerrilla, it has jurisdiction for cases such as that of Santrich. 

The former FARC guerrilla, now in the executive board of the FARC political party, said in his letter: “My situation is a calculated accident, which can be extended to any political cadre of the FARC, which, if it is not restrained, can lead the peace process definitively down the cliff, to the extent that the accumulated breaches would be added to the blockade - without any legal security - of the ultimate purpose of any peace agreement: political reincorporation, the exercise of political rights and particularly political participation”.

Santrich also thanked the solidarity he received from Colombia and all over the world. “During the forty days of my hunger strike, my last battle for revolutionary dignity, against injustice, lies and perfidy, I have received the most varied and beautiful expressions of affection and solidarity”. 

Next Sunday 27 May Colombians will go to the polls to elect the new President of the country. The election campaign has been stained by murders of social leaders and former FARC guerrillas, as well as by insult and verbal violence which made the electoral campaign almost impossible to be conducted.