-
The FARC is formed by survivors of "Operation Marquetalia" The government's May crackdown on a communist- inspired group in the mountainous area of Marquetalia.
-
President Alfonso Lopez imposes a national state of siege. Violence between left- wing rebels and governemnts troops that has prompted repeated curfews and martial law since the beginning of the year.
-
During the visit by Ronald Reagan to Bogota, President Belisario Betancur attacked the U.S policy for isolating Colombia and undermining its peace efforts. He also criticizes what he calls a discriminatory foreign aid policy and the refusal to increase contributions to the International Monetary Fund.
-
Columbian government negotiates ceasefires with FARC, two smaller rebel groups. Right wing paramilitary groups form, negotiations with FARC begin to break down.
-
In what they describe as retaliation for a recent government offensive, FRAC rebels kill at least 17 security agents in two days. Followed by several other attacks that month.
-
A confrontation for coca cultivations in Norte de Santander Department between the AUC paramilitaries and the FARC results in La Gabarra Massacre.
-
Pastrana grants Farc a safe haven the size of Switzerland in the south-east to help move peace talks along. The zone is off limits to the army.
-
At least fourteen people are killed and fourty wounded in Bogota in a mortar shell attack, near the presidential palace where Alvaro is Inaugurated.
-
In his role as mediator, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez agrees to invite rebels for talks on hostage release deal. This helped with releasing many.
-
Commandos in disguise rescue fifteen FARC hostages to freedom. Ingrid Betancourt was rescued after six years, and three American military contractors captured after their plane went down during a mission for the Pentagon.
