Current Event
Colombia has started to inch closer to building a future without the threat of guerrilla groups. There have been talks with the 52 year old, FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), for the past few years. Even though the 23 March 2016 deadline for peace has been missed, it is believed that peace in coming future is possible. The FARC and the government of Columbia have reached agreements over many issues, but they remain far away from reaching a bilateral agreement over ceasefire verified by the United Nations (Isacson). Negotiators from the FARC and Colombian government are close to complete a peace deal that will finally end a 62 year long struggle for peace in Columbia. Apart from the issue of disarming guerillas, most of the negotiations have been completed and it is expected within few months Columbia will see a new dawn (Brodzinsky).
It was expected that by 23 March, the negotiations would be completed on the longest running war in Latin America. But, both sides are positive and they have given indications that talks will continue as deal would be reached once major issues such as disarmament are agreed upon. The Columbian government has trampled down any speculation over the disagreements and expectations over the demobilization of the insurgent army and their conversion to a political organization. FARC’s head negotiator, Iván Márquez has also been highly positive over future agreement as they believe that their prospective roadmap and commitment to guerilla demobilization remains on the track (Brodzinsky & Watts). The day peace is reached on the issue it will be a landmark deal as Columbia has seen enough blood in the past 60 years and needs respite to grow as a country.
Historical Perspective
The peace process has come after decades of war. The war period in Columbia has lasted more than six decades and it is the oldest and the last remaining war in Latin America. Due to this grave historic importance and length of the war, the United Nations have intervened and brought the both parties involved on the negotiating table. UN expert, Fabrizio Hochschild has claimed that, “At a time when globally there is a resurgence of war, there is a need for good news, to show that peace is still possible” (Telesur). The peace agreement will write a new chapter in the history of Columbia and the United Nations, Columbian government and FARC agree on the need to end violence that has lasted too long. The role of the United Nations has been significant in making negotiations easier and ensuring that the longest running war in Latin America is finally ended.
The peace negotiation has been riled up in controversy as the deal has been called an agreement that willingly avoids the victim’s right to justice. Such sacrifice of justice has been identified by the Human Rights watch as civilians have died without any cause or conflict and it is important that their killers need to pay the price. In December 2015, the Human Rights Watch claimed that, “the agreement sets out a regime of sanctions to be used by the tribunal that do not reflect accepted standards of appropriate punishment for grave violations” (Telesur). It is also said that despite the peace negotiations and possible agreement it is already expected that Columbia would fail to punish the war criminals who have for years conducted some of the most gruesome crimes against humanity in Columbia.
Importance of the Issue
Columbian government has reported above 220,000 Columbians have perished due to the armed struggle and 80 percent of them are civilians. In addition, the government also has reported that 7 million people have been registered as war victims. Also, many Columbians have to face displacement due to the violence and many others have been threatened, kidnapped, forcibly disappeared or injured by landmines. All the violence has not been caused by FARC rebels. It is believed that the government created right wing paramilitaries, which were created for combating the FARC have been the cause of many of the massacres. In addition, gangs that are fighting for controlling the lucrative Cocaine production business have also been a major threat. The expectation from the deal is that it would work as a permanent settlement and allow the security forces to maintain their efforts to control gang related violence and protect the civilian population (BBC).
At the moment, both parties have reached an agreement over four major issues. These main issues are land reform, which means social and economic development of the rural areas and government’s provision to provide poor farmers with land; political participation to the FARC rebels after agreement over the peace deal is reached; illegal drug trade will be eliminated; and transitional justice which means amnesty for combatants who have not committed serious crimes. But, these agreements cannot be implemented unless a peace deal is agreed upon and signed. The final peace deal would be placed into referendum by the Columbian government. This vote will take place, because the peace deal has been questioned by many within Columbia who do not trust the FARC rebels. Also, the deal will also give amnesty to several FARC guerilla leaders and few of them might be sent to ordinary prisons (BBC).
Therefore, the topic is important as it targets a peace deal and international powers have also been working hard to reach a peace deal. But, even after reaching the deal it is expected that the referendum might ask for stronger punishments for the FARC rebels. Already, there has been strong opposition of making peace with the FARC rebels and giving the rebels concessions in punishment. Few Columbian leaders such as their former President, Alvaro Uribe has called the deal as a failure of justice and providing amnesty to those who commit to their crimes. The cost and time duration for re-integrating rebels will also be borne by the government as the rebels will get vocational training and psychological help. The main concern is that these changes might never happen, unless Columbians approve the measures and vote yes to the referendum (BBC).
Conclusion
The Peace deal between the Columbian government and FARC has been the topic discussion in Latin America for last four years. The deal will help end the longest armed struggle in Latin America and end violence that has killed more than 200,000 Columbians in past six decades. The deal has historic importance as it will end the existence of the guerrilla army in Columbia and it will add another political party. The peace deal will also end violence that has been faced by Columbians for the past six decades. The deal is important to reach as the massacre of the Columbian civilians would finally end and the new generation will get to breathe in a peaceful environment. Also, several important issues have already been agreed, but they cannot be implemented unless the government and FARC agree to the peace negotiations. The deal is also important because it will reintegrate the rebels back into the Columbian society and end the segregation and groupism in Columbia. But, it all depends upon the vote on the referendum and the willingness of the rebels to start a new life as civilians.
Works Cited
BBC. What is at stake in the Colombian peace process?. BBC. bbc.com. 24 September 2015. Web. 3 May 2016.
Telesur. “UN Supports Colombia Peace Talks 100 Percent”. Telesur. telesurtv.net. 9 January 2016. Web. 3 May 2016.
Brodzinsky., Sibylla. Colombian activist murders create unease amid Farc peace talks. The Guardian. theguardian.com. 9 March 2016. Web. 3 May 2016.
Brodzinsky., Sibylla & Watts., Jonathan. Farc peace talks in Cuba miss deadline for final deal. The Guardian. theguardian.com. 24 March 2016. Web. 3 May 2016.
Isacson., Adam. A Three-Player Chess Game: Colombia’s Peace Talks With ELN—and FARC. World Politics Review. worldpoliticsreview.com. 5 April 2016. Web. 3 May 2016.
