FARC has demanded that all 97 elected officials in the eastern oil producing area of Arauca leave. If the officials do not flee, FARC will kill them. FARC has made similar threats against 50 mayors in southern areas. This is not a new tactic, but FARC has never used it on such a scale. In effect, FARC is declaring war on the elected government and daring the government to defend its control of the nation. FARC now insists that it will not release politicians it holds prisoner unless the government passes a law releasing FARC prisoners.