Members of the peace delegation of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) expressed their grief over the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
In a release, the group expressed sorrow "over the disheartening, sad news of the death of the president," and joined in the mourning of the Venezuelans.
The FARC-EP release emphasized Chavez' unparalleled passion for "materializing the social program of Simon Bolivar, the unity and dignity of our peoples, the conviction of sovereignty and freedom in its broadest sense."
The FARC-EP team urged paying tribute to Chavez, which it described as "special Liberator of our era".
The guerrilla group exhorted the "brotherly people of Venezuela, joined to our hearts forever" to decisively support the government and "Vice President Nicolas Maduro, who received Simon Bolivar's flashing sword from the hands of Chavez himself."
For the FARC-EP, "Chavez will live among us, in the manner of Bolivar," in the Venezuelan people, and in the peoples of Our America.
The FARC-EP and the Government of Colombia have been meeting in peace talks in Havana, Cuba, since November 19, to end 50 years of armed conflict in Colombia.
Cuba and Norway are guarantors of the peace process, while Venezuela and Chile are acting as accompanying countries.
The parties have described Chavez' support and the government of Venezuela to this process as very valuable.