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Colombians React with Hope as over Half a Century of War Ends

IN PICTURES: Colombia's government and leftist FARC fighters have finalized a deal that should put an end to war and open a path to a peaceful future.

Despite attempts by right-wing politicians and domestic warmongers to derail the monumental bilateral peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC-EP, an overwhelming majority of citizens in the South American nation have jubilantly greeted the agreement that puts a halt to over five decades of bloody armed conflict.

Future steps toward solidifying the peace process include a plebiscite whereby the people of Colombia, from all walks of life, will give the agreement their stamp of approval. Other steps meant to solidify the peace deal include the substitution of illicit coca crops, the disarmament of leftist rebels and right-wing paramilitaries, and a process of transitional justice that includes a “Special Integral System of Truth, Justice and Reparations” meant to ensure that the country does not slide back into the violence that has gripped it for much of the last century.

In a statement delivered in June marking an agreement to end the war, however, FARC commander Timoleon Jimenez – or Timochenko, as he is known – stated: "We know that nothing will be achieved easily or quickly. We understand that the main beneficiaries of our efforts will be future generations. So we extend our hand to the youth. They are the ones called to build the new country and therefore called to the defense of peace and reconciliation, to promote a new type of political activity, the consolidation of civility and wider democracy."

Learn more at our teleSUR Colombia Peace Deal Special Feature

teleSUR takes a look at the reactions by Colombian people who viewed the final moments of the process ending the five-decade war, in Bogota, Colombia, August 24, 2016.

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People celebrate after Colombia's government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels reached a final peace deal on Wednesday to end a five-decade war, in Bogota, Colombia, August 24, 2016.
People celebrate after Colombia's government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels reached a final peace deal on Wednesday to end a five-decade war, in Bogota, Colombia, August 24, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Well over 220,000 lives have been claimed by the violent armed conflict.
Well over 220,000 lives have been claimed by the violent armed conflict. Photo:EFE
Colombia has the world’s second-highest number of internally displaced people, totaling about 6 million.
Colombia has the world’s second-highest number of internally displaced people, totaling about 6 million. Photo:EFE
Nearly 15,300 Colombians, most of them women and girls, have been victims of rape and sexual violence, government data shows.
Nearly 15,300 Colombians, most of them women and girls, have been victims of rape and sexual violence, government data shows. Photo:EFE
Under the peace agreement,
Under the peace agreement, "Concentration Zones" will be created for guerrillas to undergo the transition to civil society. Security forces will be banned from entering the zones so as to avoid potential clashes and to build trust. Photo:EFE
The historic deal marks the end of 52 years of armed internal conflict between government forces and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, founded in 1964 on Marxist demands for agrarian reform and rights for rural communities.
The historic deal marks the end of 52 years of armed internal conflict between government forces and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, founded in 1964 on Marxist demands for agrarian reform and rights for rural communities. Photo:EFE
The FARC argues that the end of the war is the beginning of peace and a process of reconciliation to unite “two Colombias,” one of which represents the marginalized groups that have suffered most under the armed conflict.
The FARC argues that the end of the war is the beginning of peace and a process of reconciliation to unite “two Colombias,” one of which represents the marginalized groups that have suffered most under the armed conflict. Photo:EFE
Part of the plan to help the FARC fighters includes paying them 90 percent of Colombia's minimum wage as they emerge from their strongholds. The negotiators compared the monthly $200 subsidy to the thousands of dollars spent on each army bombing raid.
Part of the plan to help the FARC fighters includes paying them 90 percent of Colombia's minimum wage as they emerge from their strongholds. The negotiators compared the monthly $200 subsidy to the thousands of dollars spent on each army bombing raid. "War is much more expensive, even without counting the human cost," Barreras said. Photo:EFE
Published 25 August 2016
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