Colombia’s Farc peace deal signed with bullets
Guerrilla leader apologises to victims of a 50-year war that killed 260,000
CARTAGENA // The Farc rebel force has signed a historic peace accord with Colombia’s government and apologised to the countless victims of a bloody civil war.
In an emotional ceremony on Monday, president Juan Manuel Santos welcomed the communist rebels into legitimate politics after signing the accord with Farc leader Rodrigo Londono, known as Timochenko. The two men signed the deal with pens made from bullet casings used in the 50-year conflict.
Dressed in white, the former mortal enemies signed and shook hands before an audience of international dignitaries, drawing loud cheers.
The ceremony in the Caribbean coast city of Cartagena followed a four-year process to end the last major armed conflict in the Americas. The accord remains to be ratified by referendum in a week. “We are being reborn to launch a new era of reconciliation and of building peace,” said Timochenko.
“In the name of the Farc, I sincerely apologise to all the victims of the conflict for any pain we may have caused.”
Colombian authorities estimate the territorial and ideological conflict killed 260,000 people, left 45,000 missing and displaced 6.9 million.
“Let no one doubt that we are moving towards politics without weapons,” Timochenko said.
Mr Santos then addressed a message to the thousands of Farc fighters preparing to disarm in their jungle camps.
“When you begin your return to society as head of state of the homeland that we all love, I welcome you to democracy,” he said.
The 2,500 guests at the signing included UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and US secretary of state John Kerry. Mr Ban welcomed the agreement creating “conditions for a lasting peace”.
Several Latin American heads of state, including Cuban president Raul Castro, sat near the signatories as the crowd waved white handkerchiefs.
The Farc launched its guerrilla war against the Colombian government in 1964, after a peasant uprising was crushed by the army.