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| Colombian voters poised to back peace deal with Farc in referendum Colombian voters poised to back peace deal with Farc in referendum | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Colombians look likely to back a peace accord with Marxist rebels in a referendum on Sunday, the final hurdle for a deal that would end 52 years of war and allow Farc fighters to re-enter society and form a political party. | Colombians look likely to back a peace accord with Marxist rebels in a referendum on Sunday, the final hurdle for a deal that would end 52 years of war and allow Farc fighters to re-enter society and form a political party. |
| The plebiscite asks for a simple “yes” or “no” on whether Colombians support the accord signed on Monday by President Juan Manuel Santos, who has staked his legacy on peace, and the rebel commander known as Timochenko. | The plebiscite asks for a simple “yes” or “no” on whether Colombians support the accord signed on Monday by President Juan Manuel Santos, who has staked his legacy on peace, and the rebel commander known as Timochenko. |
| “We must end a 52-year war and open the way to peace, a peace that will take us to a better future,” Santos said after voting. “Peace is the way to ensure our children and grandchildren have a better country.” | “We must end a 52-year war and open the way to peace, a peace that will take us to a better future,” Santos said after voting. “Peace is the way to ensure our children and grandchildren have a better country.” |
| The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as Farc, whose numbers halved to about 7,000 in recent years due to a US-backed military offensive, have agreed to turn in weapons and fight for power at the ballot box instead of with bullets. | The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as Farc, whose numbers halved to about 7,000 in recent years due to a US-backed military offensive, have agreed to turn in weapons and fight for power at the ballot box instead of with bullets. |
| Polls taken before Sunday’s referendum show the “yes” vote favored by an almost two-to-one margin. | Polls taken before Sunday’s referendum show the “yes” vote favored by an almost two-to-one margin. |
| The influential former president Alvaro Uribe has led the “no” camp, arguing that rebels should pay for crimes in jail and never be given congressional seats. But most Colombians, including some who see the accord as too soft on Farc, seem convinced that an imperfect peace is better than more war. | The influential former president Alvaro Uribe has led the “no” camp, arguing that rebels should pay for crimes in jail and never be given congressional seats. But most Colombians, including some who see the accord as too soft on Farc, seem convinced that an imperfect peace is better than more war. |
| “This country needs a change and it has to be today,” Fabiel Cruz, 31, an administrator, said after voting “yes”. “It’s the only chance we have. If it’s not today it will be never.” | “This country needs a change and it has to be today,” Fabiel Cruz, 31, an administrator, said after voting “yes”. “It’s the only chance we have. If it’s not today it will be never.” |
| Under the accord, Farc, which began as a peasant revolt in 1964, can compete in the 2018 presidential and legislative elections and will have 10 unelected congressional seats guaranteed through 2026. | Under the accord, Farc, which began as a peasant revolt in 1964, can compete in the 2018 presidential and legislative elections and will have 10 unelected congressional seats guaranteed through 2026. |
| Farc’s Marxist rhetoric goes very much against the beliefs of the largely conservative Colombian population and most, including Santos, think the group will have difficulty finding a political footing. | Farc’s Marxist rhetoric goes very much against the beliefs of the largely conservative Colombian population and most, including Santos, think the group will have difficulty finding a political footing. |
| “I voted no. I don’t want to teach my children that everything can be forgiven,” said Alejandro Jaramillo, 35, angered that the rebels will not serve jail time. | “I voted no. I don’t want to teach my children that everything can be forgiven,” said Alejandro Jaramillo, 35, angered that the rebels will not serve jail time. |
| Javier Milanes, 34, a restaurant owner who also voted no, said: “The accord gives a lot of concessions to the guerrillas. They changed their strategy from arms to politics but the goal is still socialism.” | Javier Milanes, 34, a restaurant owner who also voted no, said: “The accord gives a lot of concessions to the guerrillas. They changed their strategy from arms to politics but the goal is still socialism.” |
| For decades, Farc bankrolled the longest-running conflict in the Americas through the illegal drug trade, kidnapping and extortion, spreading a a terrorist group that left few Colombians unaffected. The conflict claimed more than 220,000 lives and displaced almost 8 million people. | For decades, Farc bankrolled the longest-running conflict in the Americas through the illegal drug trade, kidnapping and extortion, spreading a a terrorist group that left few Colombians unaffected. The conflict claimed more than 220,000 lives and displaced almost 8 million people. |
| If the peace accord is approved on Sunday, Santos will probably turn his focus towards a much-needed tax reform and other measures to compensate for a drop in oil income, as well as possible talks with the smaller ELN rebel group. | If the peace accord is approved on Sunday, Santos will probably turn his focus towards a much-needed tax reform and other measures to compensate for a drop in oil income, as well as possible talks with the smaller ELN rebel group. |
| For the referendum to be ratified, at least 13% of the electorate, or 4.5 million voters, must cast “yes” ballots. Turnout is expected to be low, no higher than the 40% seen in recent congressional elections, a sign to some analysts that Colombians’ enthusiasm for the ambitious accord is lacking. | For the referendum to be ratified, at least 13% of the electorate, or 4.5 million voters, must cast “yes” ballots. Turnout is expected to be low, no higher than the 40% seen in recent congressional elections, a sign to some analysts that Colombians’ enthusiasm for the ambitious accord is lacking. |
| Also potentially affecting turnout, especially along the Caribbean coast, is heavy rainfall left by Hurricane Matthew, which has been parked off the northern tip of South America since Friday. | Also potentially affecting turnout, especially along the Caribbean coast, is heavy rainfall left by Hurricane Matthew, which has been parked off the northern tip of South America since Friday. |
| “We in Colombia have to adopt this culture of non-violence,” Santos said shortly after casting his ballot in a washed-out Plaza Bolívar next to the presidential palace. “All of us can be protagonists in this historic change taking place in our nation.” | “We in Colombia have to adopt this culture of non-violence,” Santos said shortly after casting his ballot in a washed-out Plaza Bolívar next to the presidential palace. “All of us can be protagonists in this historic change taking place in our nation.” |
| Farc leaders in recent days have made an effort to show their commitment to peace is real. Twice this week, leaders travelled to areas hard hit by the violence to apologize for massacres committed by their troops and discuss compensation. | Farc leaders in recent days have made an effort to show their commitment to peace is real. Twice this week, leaders travelled to areas hard hit by the violence to apologize for massacres committed by their troops and discuss compensation. |
| “All of us in life have committed mistakes, some with consequences more serious than others,” Farc leader Iván Márquez said Friday at a ceremony in a northern Colombian town, where rebels in 1994 disrupted a street party with gunfire, killing 35. | “All of us in life have committed mistakes, some with consequences more serious than others,” Farc leader Iván Márquez said Friday at a ceremony in a northern Colombian town, where rebels in 1994 disrupted a street party with gunfire, killing 35. |
| “There’s nothing to lose in recognizing it. Speaking the pure and clean truth heals the soul’s wounds, no matter how deep they are.” | “There’s nothing to lose in recognizing it. Speaking the pure and clean truth heals the soul’s wounds, no matter how deep they are.” |
| On Saturday, in the presence of United Nations observers, Farc voluntarily destroyed 620kg of grenades and light explosives. It also said it would compensate victims with financial resources and land holdings accumulated during the war. | On Saturday, in the presence of United Nations observers, Farc voluntarily destroyed 620kg of grenades and light explosives. It also said it would compensate victims with financial resources and land holdings accumulated during the war. |
| If the accord is ratified, Farc’s roughly 7,000 fighters will move to 27 concentration zones where over six months they will gradually turn over their weapons to UN observers and prepare for their reintegration into civilian life. | If the accord is ratified, Farc’s roughly 7,000 fighters will move to 27 concentration zones where over six months they will gradually turn over their weapons to UN observers and prepare for their reintegration into civilian life. |