FARC denies forcing female fighters to have abortions

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) denied Sunday that one of its members, Héctor Albeidis Arboleda Buitrago, had carried out over 500 forced abortions on female members of the guerrilla group.

In a communique, the FARC said forced abortions were never carried out within its ranks and that any abortions were carried out with the consent of the mothers and within the first trimester.

"A pregnant guerrilla fighter ran a high risk of death, for her and the child inside her. In most cases, she would suffer severe medical complications that put her and her child at risk," wrote the FARC. "However, the right of fighters to approve of any medical intervention is covered in our rules. Such an intervention can only happen with the consent of the fighter and within the first three months of gestation."

In December, Spanish authorities arrested Arboleda Buitrago, also known as "The Nurse", and the Colombian government lodged an extradition request against him.

According to Luis González León, from the Colombian attorney general's office, women within FARC ranks were forced into abortions without consent and without receiving proper treatment.

He told Colombian press in December that Arboleda Buitrago is accused of carrying out abortions on girls as young as 12, who became pregnant after being raped by FARC leaders. Enditem