Colombian FARC rebels say they taxed coca growers
Havana (AFP) - Colombia's FARC rebels acknowledged Friday that they collected taxes from coca cultivators but rejected accusations of "narco-terrorism." "We saw ourselves forced to set up a system of fiscal contributions and transaction regulations with the farmers, taking into consideration their rights and protecting them from abuse from intermediaries and drug traffickers," they said in a statement. The remarks by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia came on the second day of a renewed round of peace talks with the government aimed at ending their near 50-year conflict. Considered Latin America's longest-running insurgency, it has left hundreds of thousands of dead and displaced more than 4.5 million people. Currently on the agenda at the talks, which began more than a year ago and are being held in the Cuban capital Havana, is ending drug trafficking in the country. The discussions resumed Thursday after a three week break amid differen