UN removes 4 envoys from Colombia for partying with rebels

The flag of the United Nations flies from a pole in front of UN Headquarters in New York. (Photo by JOHN ISAAC/United Nations)

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — The United Nations is removing four officials from its peacekeeping mission in Colombia following an uproar over a video showing observers dancing with leftist rebels they’re supposed to be monitoring.

Thursday’s UN statement promises “full impartiality” in its efforts to verify compliance with a deal between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia aimed at bringing an end to decades of bloody fighting.

A video of observers wearing UN vests dancing with female guerrillas at a New Year’s party sparked an outcry from opponents of the peace deal. Both Colombia’s government and the UN have called their behavior inappropriate.

Hundreds of UN-sponsored observers are being deployed across the country to receive weapons turned over by the rebels. Most are from Latin America though the statement mentioned no nationalities.