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Since the beginning of the peace process, more than 1,600 former FARC members have joined the dissent. LUIS ACOSTA / AFP

In Colombia, 724 former FARC fighters have disappeared, raising fears that they have joined other armed groups.

The 724 ex-combatants should have participated in the reintegration programs provided for in the peace agreement signed in 2016 between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrillas. But they have " literally evaporated, " said Monday the daily El Tiempo (Spanish). According to the newspaper, it has been weeks since the tripartite commission, made up of the government, the United Nations and the former guerrilla, which has become a political party, has been seeking these former guerrillas all over the country. Without success.

The 724 individuals are all trained in the use of weapons. The concern is great that they may have joined an illegal organization. Especially since several former guerrilla leaders have also disappeared. The government has alerted the army, as well as local authorities in several areas, particularly to drug traffickers and other armed groups.

Indeed, since the beginning of the peace process, more than 1,600 ex-guerrillas have initially laid down their arms to finally join the dissent. According to the government, these men are present in 12 of the 32 departments in Colombia.