Support for 'Yes' in Colombia's Peace Vote Continues to Grow

A new poll has revealed growing public support for the peace accords between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the government of Juan Manuel Santos.

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The latest poll conducted by Ipsos-Napoleon Franco for a consortium of media outlets found that 72 percent of the population intends to vote “yes” in the upcoming peace plebiscite.

President Santos established that the final peace deal, set to be signed on September 26 in the city of Cartagena, must be approved by a majority of Colombians.

This latest poll confirms the trend of increasing support for peace as the date of the plebiscite approaches. A separate poll earlier this month showed 62 percent in favor of the deal.

The Ipsos poll also found widespread support for a “yes” vote among both urban centers and the Colombian countryside.

In rural areas, which have been most affected by the five-decade-long armed conflict, support stands at 78 percent, while 69 percent of people in the cities said they would vote in favor of the deal.

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Eighty percent of those polled also expressed confidence in their voting intention, with only 20 percent indicating they may change their minds before the vote.

The plebiscite itself will be held on October 2 and will ask Colombians the following question: “Do you support the final accord for the end of the conflict and the construction of stable and lasting peace?”

A resounding victory of the “yes” vote would deal a significant political blow to former far-right former President Alvaro Uribe, who has been campaigning for a “No” vote.

Pollsters spoke with 1,500 adults across Colombia who had previously indicated their intention to vote in the plebiscite.