The FARC rebel group announced Friday that close to 200 delegates representing all the guerrilla units in the country have unanimously ratified the peace accord signed with the government last August 24.
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To a burst of applause and cheers, the FARC’s chief peace negotiator announced the guerrillas had unanimously backed the agreement at a national conference.
A helicopter operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross transported two groups of a total of about 40 commanders with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia out of the Yari Plains for the Monday ceremony.
As part of the agreement, the FARC will continue to push for social change as a political party, receiving 10 unelected seats in congress until 2026.
“Finally we’ll have a second opportunity on Earth”, he said. The leadership of the FARC have so far been coy on policy details but are expected soon to transition to a party rooted in Marxist ideals.
“The guerrillas. have given their unanimous backing to the final accord”, he said.
If all goes according to plan, it will be the FARC’s last meeting as a guerrilla army.
But it will only come into force if the majority of Colombian voters approve the accord in a referendum scheduled for October 2. Under the deal, the group is now to relaunch as a political party. Recent polls show the “Yes” camp ahead.
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One mid-level rebel fighter said the group wants to decentralize Colombia’s government, including halving the size of Congress, in a bid to combat corruption and ensure communities have control over distribution of royalties from oil and mining projects.
