Uruguay's Mujica Campaigns for FARC Peace Deal in Colombia

The former president of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, arrived in Medellin, Colombia, on Saturday to campaign for the approval of the peace deal with the FARC in the upcoming popular referendum.

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"To sign the peace is barely earning the right to build peace, and this is the great achievement of the people of Colombia,” said Mujica. “It’s not the same as touching the sky with your hand, or that all problems are solved."

The final peace agreement between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) and the government of President Juan Manuel Santos will be signed on Sept. 26 in Cartagena de Indias, but the accords will need to be put to a popular vote in a plebiscite on Oct. 2.

Mujica was part of a workers union event called "International Day for the 'Yes'” in the referendum, along with leaders from Argentina, Brazil, France and Spain.

Society "has to learn that conflicts are negotiated, managed, and put to a dialogue, that’s the superior role of politics," said Mujica, who is now an Uruguayan senator.

Mujica said that those who support a “No” vote in the referendum should refrain from misinforming the public by telling them that FARC-EP leaders will effectively be in charge of the country.

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The final peace agreement was achieved on Aug. 24, 2016, after almost four years of negotiations between the government and the guerrillas in Havana, Cuba. If the “Yes” vote wins, the agreement could end the over five decade long conflict that has killed over 220,000 people and displaced some 6.3 million others

"It's not just about peace in Colombia, but peace in Africa, in Asia, it’s peace in the world. It’s the desperate cry of yes to life and no to the human-induced death,” said Mujica.

The former president favored a negotiation to end the internal armed conflict in Colombia, and followed closely the discussions that took place in Havana. Mujica even traveled to Cuba and met the negotiators, offering to be a mediator.