The signing of the deal is a historic milestone for Colombia, effectively ending more than 50 years of armed conflict. Colombia’s population must still approve the agreement in a popular vote next weekend, however.
Presidents, dignitaries and other leaders from around the world arrived in Cartagena today to witness the signing of a historic peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla army.
Colombia’s agreement with the FARC is the product of years of negotiations in Havana, Cuba overseen by various foreign governments. The deal, though somewhat controversial amongst Colombians, has broad international support.
The United Nations has agreed to monitor the transition to peace, for example. And the United States has announced a new version of Plan Colombia dubbed Peace Colombia that will provide assistance through the nation’s transition out of war with the FARC.
