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News > Latin America

Colombian Government and the FARC Reach Deal for Victims

  •  A Colombian theater group performs a play for the victims of the conflict in a massive march for peace April 9, 2015.

    A Colombian theater group performs a play for the victims of the conflict in a massive march for peace April 9, 2015. | Photo: Reuters

Published 14 December 2015
Opinion

The two sides came to a preliminary agreement earlier this fall, but have for the past months been unable to agree on a final conclusion.

The Colombian government and the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) have reached a final agreement on the issue of victims and transitional justice – one of the more controversial points in the peace talks currently underway in Havana, Cuba.

The announcement was made early Monday by government and FARC spokespeople, who say that the “transcendental” deal is an “important step” for peace in the country, according to EFE.

The deal also includes a general agreement for the termination of the conflict, although a final agreement has not yet been made on the topic. Details of Monday’s agreement will be announced Tuesday, said local media. 

FARC leader Ivan Marquez confirmed the move on his twitter account Monday, saying, “We have successfully completed the Special Court for Peace and the partial agreement on item 5 VICTIMS.” 

 

The two sides came to a preliminary agreement on victims and transitional justice earlier this fall, but have for the past months been discussing the finer points. The final deal had been stalled due to disagreements.

IN DEPTH: The Colombian Peace Process Explained

The government and the FARC have been under peace negotiations for the past three years, and are closer than ever to reaching a final agreement, which is expected to be announced by March 2016. Once a deal is reached, the parties will discuss the implementation of the agreements and hold a national referendum, where Colombia's 46 million people will vote to either accept or reject the final deal.

The Colombian state has been at war with the FARC for more than 50 years. The FARC, along with other guerrilla groups, came about as a response to violent government repression of popular progressive movements in the 1950s and 60s.

The conflict has become an entrenched part of Colombian life, creating more than 6.7 million victims, and taking at least 220,000 lives.

RELATED: Watch Colombia Peace Talks Moving Forward, With Some Points Still Pending

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