Colombia Begins Campaign to Approve Peace Deal with FARC Rebels

Social and political movements in Colombia began the campaign in support of the plebiscite to approve the peace accord between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, better known as FARC, and the government on Thursday.

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Senator Ivan Cepeda, part of the Peace Commission in Congress, said the campaign will be intense and will cover the whole Colombian territory.

"What is at stake is to say yes to a future of hope, progress, to leave behind the destruction of war, prevent further casualties, and damages caused,” said Cepeda.

Senator Horacio Serpa, leader of the Liberal Party, said they will begin campaigning in the streets and around the country to educate Colombians on the benefits of the agreement.

"Nothing is more important for the entire population, all political parties, all religions, all ethnicities, of all conditions, that the FARC surrenders their weapons, their connection to democratic means and the end of the armed conflict. That'd be the best news we can receive in Colombia in the last 50 years ... and for many years to come," said Serpa.

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Former President Alvaro Uribe is leading the "No" campaign, which has also begun its nationwide campaign against the approval of the final text.

The bilateral cease-fire agreement was signed June 23 and both parties look committed to accepting the ruling of the Constitutional Court in order to take it to a referendum. It looks to end the Colombian armed conflict, which has left more than 300,000 dead, 45,000 missing and 6.8 million displaced.

The Colombian government and FARC have held peace talks in Havana, Cuba, since 2012.