Colombians poised to vote ‘Yes’ as peace deal faces final hurdle

Colombians look set to back a peace accord with left-wing rebels in a referendum on Sunday, the final hurdle to a deal ending 52 years of war. They are being asked to vote “yes” or “no” on whether to support the accord signed last week by president Juan Manuel Santos and the rebel commander Timochenko. If they agree, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, whose numbers dwindled to about 7,000 in recent years, have agreed to turn in weapons and fight for power at the ballot box instead of with bullets. The group, known as FARC, have also offered to pay compensation to victims of the conflict.

Even one less death is enough of an argument, I’m voting yes because I’m betting on hope, to guarantee my son can see a better country.

Sandra Guevara, 42

The conflict has claimed more than 220,000 lives and displaced millions of people. For decades, FARC was accused of bankrolling the longest-running conflict in the Americas through kidnapping and extortion. But under the accord, FARC can compete in the 2018 presidential and legislative elections and has ten unelected congressional seats guaranteed through 2026. Some feel the deal is too soft on the rebels who should be made to pay for their acts of violence in prison. But FARC leaders said on the eve of the referendum that it would declare all its assets and pay what it could to those affected by the conflict.

The president has given the guerrillas the ability to be in government. He’s sold out the country

Bogota housewife Fanny Castro

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