Colombia has peace as 52-year war ends
The commander of Colombia’s biggest rebel movement said yesterday its fighters will cease hostilities with the government beginning with the first minute of today, as a result of their peace accord ending one of the world’s longest-running conflicts.
Rodrigo Londono, leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, made the announcement in Havana, where the two sides negotiated for four years before announcing the peace deal last Thursday.
‘‘Never again will parents be burying their sons and daughters killed in the war,’’ said Londono. ‘‘All rivalries and grudges will remain in the past.’’
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced on Saturday his military would cease attacks on the FARC today.
Colombia is expected to hold a national referendum on October 2 to give voters the chance to approve the deal for ending a halfcentury of political violence that has claimed more than 220,000