This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37180752
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Colombia and Farc rebels sign historic peace agreement | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Colombian government and the Farc rebel group have signed a historic peace accord, putting an end to more than five decades of conflict. | |
Both sides have agreed to work together to address social exclusion, to deliver justice to the victims of the conflict and build a stable and enduring peace. | Both sides have agreed to work together to address social exclusion, to deliver justice to the victims of the conflict and build a stable and enduring peace. |
The announcement was made in the Cuban capital, Havana, where peace talks were launched in November 2012. | The announcement was made in the Cuban capital, Havana, where peace talks were launched in November 2012. |
The conflict has killed an estimated 220,000 people and displaced millions. | The conflict has killed an estimated 220,000 people and displaced millions. |
"The Colombian government and the Farc announce that we have reached a final, full and definitive accord," they said in a joint statement. | "The Colombian government and the Farc announce that we have reached a final, full and definitive accord," they said in a joint statement. |
The head of the Colombian delegation, Humberto de la Calle, and the chief Farc negotiator, Ivan Marquez, signed the agreement at a ceremony in Cuba. | The head of the Colombian delegation, Humberto de la Calle, and the chief Farc negotiator, Ivan Marquez, signed the agreement at a ceremony in Cuba. |
"We have reached our goal," said Mr De la Calle. | "We have reached our goal," said Mr De la Calle. |
"The war is over but also there is also new beginning. This agreement opens the door to a more inclusive society," he added. | "The war is over but also there is also new beginning. This agreement opens the door to a more inclusive society," he added. |
The two sides had signed a bilateral ceasefire in June, paving the way for a final agreement. | The two sides had signed a bilateral ceasefire in June, paving the way for a final agreement. |
'No winners or losers' | 'No winners or losers' |
Under the terms of the agreement, the Farc will give up its armed struggle and join the legal political process. | Under the terms of the agreement, the Farc will give up its armed struggle and join the legal political process. |
The Farc has agreed to renounce its armed struggle to join the legal political process. | The Farc has agreed to renounce its armed struggle to join the legal political process. |
"There is no room for winners or losers when you achieve peace through negotiations," tweeted Farc negotiator Rodrigo Granda, known as Ricardo Tellez. "Colombia wins, death loses." | "There is no room for winners or losers when you achieve peace through negotiations," tweeted Farc negotiator Rodrigo Granda, known as Ricardo Tellez. "Colombia wins, death loses." |
Earlier on Wednesday, Farc's leader Timoleon Jimenez, known as Timochenko, had tweeted that "at 18:00 in Colombia (24:00 BST) we will announce the end of the talks and the conclusion of the [peace] accord". | Earlier on Wednesday, Farc's leader Timoleon Jimenez, known as Timochenko, had tweeted that "at 18:00 in Colombia (24:00 BST) we will announce the end of the talks and the conclusion of the [peace] accord". |
"From Havana, I want to share with the Colombian people my satisfaction of having reached this point," he said. | "From Havana, I want to share with the Colombian people my satisfaction of having reached this point," he said. |
Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos had also promised to give "historic, very important news to the country" later on Wednesday. | Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos had also promised to give "historic, very important news to the country" later on Wednesday. |
The left-wing rebels have been fighting Colombian government since 1964. It is the longest-running conflict in Latin America. | The left-wing rebels have been fighting Colombian government since 1964. It is the longest-running conflict in Latin America. |
Over the past four years, peace negotiators have managed to reach agreement on six areas: land reform, the Farc's involvement in drug trafficking, justice for the victims, disarmament, future political participation and implementation of the accord. | Over the past four years, peace negotiators have managed to reach agreement on six areas: land reform, the Farc's involvement in drug trafficking, justice for the victims, disarmament, future political participation and implementation of the accord. |
Mr Santos will now need Congressional approval to hold a popular vote to endorse the terms of the deal. | Mr Santos will now need Congressional approval to hold a popular vote to endorse the terms of the deal. |
A vote is expected to take place in October. | A vote is expected to take place in October. |
Former President Alvaro Uribe is leading the campaign to get the agreement rejected. | Former President Alvaro Uribe is leading the campaign to get the agreement rejected. |
Decades of war | Decades of war |
Sources: Unit for Attention and Reparation of Victims, Colombian government | Sources: Unit for Attention and Reparation of Victims, Colombian government |