Colombian government and Farc sign historic agreement that formally brings end to 52 years of armed conflict

Publicado: 28 Septiembre 2016
Google translate: 

After 52 long years of war, Colombia finally has peace.

UNI Global Union welcomes the  historic signing of the agreement by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the leader of Farc, Timoleon Jimenez. After 4 years of peace talks in Cuba between the Colombian government and Farc, the 5-decade long conflict has come to a close. Colombia has experienced a painful conflict that has killed an estimated 260,000 people and displaced over 6 million people.  However, the most crucial step is yet to come – on October 2, the country will hold a referendum on whether to accept the peace agreements.

“We are delighted that on the eve of the International Peace Bureau World Congress in Berlin, we have peace in Colombia,” said general secretary of UNI Global Union Philip Jennings.

“This is a chance to write a new chapter in Colombian history – a chapter based on social inclusion, democracy, labour rights, elimination of poverty, and most importantly, peace. Only with peace can we start making real changes.”

UNI Americas will hold its regional conference in Medellin in December where there will be special sessions on Colombia to discuss the development of civil society and to honour the courage of the Colombian people. There will be a ceremony celebrating the end of the war and an homage to those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for a peaceful Colombia.

“All rivalries and grudges will remain in the past,” said the leader of FARC Rodrigo ‘Timochenko’ Londono. “Our only weapons will be our words. In the name of the Farc I sincerely ask forgiveness to all the victims of the conflict and for all the pain we may have caused in this war”

“The horrible night has ceased,” said an emotional Juan Manuel Santos, quoting a phrase from the Colombian national anthem. “Colombia celebrates, the planet celebates because there is one less war.”

Throughout the conflict, trade unionists have been murdered, persecuted and stigmatized for their activism, yet still have managed to contribute to the establishment of peace in the country.