The October 2 vote does not reflect Colombia’s rejection of peace, but rather, of an accord that many Colombians believed would bring neither peace nor justice.
The idea that the rebels would not face justice for their crimes was too hard for voters to swallow.
There are a number of parallels between the shocking vote results in Colombia and the UK and the current U.S. presidential election. Could a similar surprise occur November 8th?
Colombians have the opportunity on October 2nd to vote on the historic peace accord signed last month between the Colombian government and the FARC. Despite overwhelming international support, the vote is controversial and looks like it will be close. The question is, what other choice is there really?
The peace agreement in Colombia may mark the end of the hemisphere’s longest running civil war. Let’s face it: being witness to an historical moment like this is exciting, even if there are difficulties ahead.
Through a series of deft maneuvers, President Santos has helped ensure the acceptance and implementation of the peace accord, while still upholding Colombia’s constitution and respecting the will of its people. It’s driving the opposition nuts.
This Thursday, Colombians had much to celebrate. In the presence of world leaders President Santos signed a cease-fire with the FARC, a day after Colombia played in the Copa America semi-finals. Though it lost, the games reminded Colombians how far they had come from the World Cup of 22 years ago.
Colombia’s remaining guerrilla group, the ELN, is finally coming to the negotiating table. But the government is in a very different negotiating position with the ELN than with FARC, a point reflected in the vague, poorly worded negotiation agreement announced March 30th.
Conversations with Colombian security officials reveal concerns that Colombia’s peace agreement, if approved and implemented, may in the short term lead to greater violence, as former FARC members defect to the ELN and join in criminal and violent activities. How should Colombia, the U.S, and the EU prepare?
With less than a month before the deadline to sign the peace accord, the government must do a better job of promoting the agreement and refuting its critics’ dishonest attacks.
