Colombia Peace Deal: FARC Announces Cease-Fire And Downs Weapons

Members of the 51st Front of the FARC patrol in the remote mountains of Colombia. Credit: Reuters

ITV News‎

One of the world’s longest-running conflicts is set to come to an end as the commander of Colombia’s rebel movement has said its fighters will permanently cease hostilities with the government.

The truce will begin with the first minute of Monday, as a result of their peace deal after 52 years of conflict.

Rodrigo Londono, leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, made the announcement in Havana, where the two sides negotiated for four years to come to an agreement.

“Never again will parents be burying their sons and daughters killed in the war,” said Londono, who also known as Timoshenko. “All rivalries and grudges will remain in the past.”

The conflict has killed an estimated 260,000 people and displaced millions.

Members of the 51st Front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia stand in line to get food at a camp in Cordillera Oriental, Colombia. Credit: Reuters

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced on Friday that his military would cease attacks on the FARC beginning Monday.

Colombia is expected to hold a national referendum 2 October to give voters the chance to approve the deal for ending a half-century of political violence that has claimed more than 220,000 lives and driven more than 5 million people from their homes

After the agreement is signed, FARC guerrillas are supposed to begin handing their weapons over to United Nations-sponsored monitors.

http://www.itv.com/news/2016-08-28/farc-downs-weapons-and-sets-permanent-cease-fire-under-colombia-peace-deal/