Colombia, FARC end civil war, agree to peace deal

Colombia’s government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels have reached a historic peace agreement to end their half-century civil war that cost hundreds of thousands of lives.

After nearly four years of negotiations in Cuba, the two sides announced a final deal Wednesday, which President Juan Manuel Santos said would be put to a decisive referendum on October 2.

“The Colombian government and the FARC announce that we have reached a final, full and definitive accord... on ending the conflict and building a stable and enduring peace,” the two sides said in a joint statement read out in Havana by Cuban diplomat Rodolfo Benitez.

Colombians welcomed the announcement with both skepticism and joy, as many took to the streets late Wednesday night, waving the national flag and carrying balloons emblazoned with the word “yes” to show their support for peace.

Over the years, it has killed 260,000 people, uprooted 6.8 million and left 45,000 missing.

Three previous peace processes with the FARC ended in failure. But after a major offensive by the army from 2006 to 2009 a weakened FARC agreed to negotiate.

The peace deal covers justice for victims of the conflict, land reform, political participation for ex-rebels, fighting drug trafficking, disarmament and the accord’s implementation.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated the negotiators, and US President Barack Obama called Santos to congratulate him.