The Colombian government and the largest rebel group in the country on Wednesday reached a historic agreement to end the longest running war in the Americas – an extremely bloody battle that killed nearly a quarter-million people over more than a half century.
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More than 220,000 people were killed in the conflict, tens of thousands disappeared and millions fled their homes to escape the violence.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos addressed the nation after the deal was signed here, delivering his promise to end the war this year.
“Colombians: the decision is in your hands. Never before have our citizens had within their reach the key to their future”, he said.
Especially as a political opposition to the deal led by a former president and members of the Colombian Congress grows.
“For almost four years, representatives from the Colombian government and FARC rebel group have struggled to reach a deal that would not only end the fighting but also address issues of land reform, repatriation for the families of victims and trying those suspected of human rights abuses”.
Watching on giant screens in the Colombian capital, Bogota, revellers wept and sang the national anthem, thankful the war was over.
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“Not to forgive would keep me captive and not allow me to get rid of the anger and move on”, Jara told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a telephone interview. “This whole thing feels false to me”, said Cali resident Adriana Corrales, 33, referring to the peace deal. Polls show Colombians would probably endorse any deal in a simple yes or no vote. After that the former rebels will have to prove their political relevancy at the ballot box.
“This agreement opens possibilities to start the transformation of Colombian society”, said the chief negotiator for the Government of Colombia, Humberto de la Calle.
“We can proclaim that today ends the war with arms and begins the debate of ideas”.
The two sides had signed a ceasefire in late June.
As congratulations poured in from the United Nations and other countries, U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed the deal.
March 26, 2008: Top FARC leader Marulanda dies of natural causes after more than four decades fighting government. It will end, assuming that both sides adopt their new agreement, 27 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Talks between the smaller, leftist National Liberation Army and the government have stalled. Gangs born out of right-wing paramilitary groups are reported to have taken over some of the FARC’s drug trafficking routes.
“This is a historic and unique opportunity.to leave behind this conflict and dedicate our efforts to building a more secure, safe, equitable, educated country, for all of us, for our children and grandchildren”, he said.
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But don’t expect any immediate peace dividend or security improvements in Colombia’s blood-splattered countryside.
