Colombia, Farc reach agreement on rebels’ future if peace signed
Bogota government concedes future of 'political participation' in for Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels during ongoing negotiations in Cuba
Colombia’s government and Marxist Farc rebels reached a “fundamental agreement” on the guerrillas’ future in politics, one of the thorniest issues addressed in peace talks in Cuba, according to a joint statement on Wednesday.
The Farc, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, has been fighting the government in a jungle and urban conflict that has killed more than 200,000 people in the five decades since it began as a peasant movement seeking land reform.
The partial accord may clear the way for the Farc to enter Colombian politics, which chief government negotiator Humberto de la Calle said would provide a “new democratic opening” and cement peace after an end of conflict.
“Never again politics and weapons together,” he said.
Like other Latin American guerrilla groups, the Farc aspires to become a political party if a peace deal is signed.
“We are completely satisfied with what we have agreed on the point of political participation,” Farc leader Ivan Marquez told reporters. “We are doing well. In no other peace process have we advanced as much as we have here in Havana. We have taken an important step in the right direction to end the conflict and to achieve a real democracy in Colombia.”
