Two years after the signing of the peace accord in Colombia, the reinsertion into society of former FARC guerrillas is difficult and complicated, though the female former rebels are organizing to forge ahead with what they call gendered projects.

Such is the case of Yorladys Jimenez and Elsy Palacios, who belonged to the FARC when it was an insurgency and are now members of the political party that succeeded it, which likewise goes by the acronym FARC.

Both live in Quibdo, capital of the western province of Choco, one of the regions hardest hit by poverty and the more than five decades of armed conflict that formally ended Nov. 24, 2016.

Since then, Choco has become one of the provinces that the Spain-based Catholic charity Manos Unidas has prioritized for developing projects focused on aiding Afro-Colombians, indigenous people and small farmers.

Many of the former combatants seek their reintegration in rural communities - the one where Yorladys and Elsy live is La Troje, which was founded more than 400 years ago and is one of the oldest in Choco.

Elsy, now 24, doesn't recall if she was "14, 15, or 16" when she fell in with the FARC.

Her role, she said, "wasn't active," but rather she lent a hand "when they needed help in meetings and things like that."

She now works with another 34 women on programs that they themselves have taken on because, she said, "the conflict has begun again" and women "are being subjugated by men."

But "the reinsertion has been a little complicated because a lot of things were promised in the peace process that haven't been done yet," Elsy says.

Yorladys, 31, wanted to "follow the path" of an older sister who joined the guerrillas and who, unlike her sibling, did not operate "in the ranks" of the FARC, but was always involved "on the political side."

Despite the peace accord, FARC veterans find it "very hard" to win acceptance from their compatriots, she said.

Early this year, when Yorladys was pregnant, a group of armed men assaulted the local FARC party headquarters, but "thank God no one was hurt, they just made off with some of our belongings."

Now Yorladys is dedicated to "organizing women to work on projects," the most immediate being a refrigerated room to keep fish and meat "for the poorest neighborhoods in the northern region."

Her husband, Antonio Angulo, belonged to the FARC's 34th front. Two years after the signing of the peace accord, he celebrates "having initiated negotiations with the Colombian government, because prolonging the war would have meant many more deaths."

Two years after the signing of the peace accord in Colombia, the reinsertion into society of former FARC guerrillas is difficult and complicated, though the female former rebels are organizing to forge ahead with what they call gendered projects.

Two years after the signing of the peace accord in Colombia, the reinsertion into society of former FARC guerrillas is difficult and complicated, though the female former rebels are organizing to forge ahead with what they call gendered projects. Such is the case of Yorladys Jimenez and Elsy Palacios, who belonged to the FARC when it was an insurgency and are now members of the political party that succeeded it, which likewise goes by the acronym FARC. Both live in Quibdo, capital of the western province of Choco, one of the regions hardest hit by poverty and the more than five decades of armed conflict that formally ended Nov. 24, 2016. Since then, Choco has become one of the provinces that the Spain-based Catholic charity Manos Unidas has prioritized for developing projects focused on aiding Afro-Colombians, indigenous people and small farmers. Many of the former combatants seek their reintegration in rural communities - the one where Yorladys and Elsy live is La Troje, which was founded more than 400 years ago and is one of the oldest in Choco. Elsy, now 24, doesn't recall if she was "14, 15, or 16" when she fell in with the FARC. Her role, she said, "wasn't active," but rather she lent a hand "when they needed help in meetings and things like that." She now works with another 34 women on programs that they themselves have taken on because, she said, "the conflict has begun again" and women "are being subjugated by men." But "the reinsertion has been a little complicated because a lot of things were promised in the peace process that haven't been done yet," Elsy says. Yorladys, 31, wanted to "follow the path" of an older sister who joined the guerrillas and who, unlike her sibling, did not operate "in the ranks" of the FARC, but was always involved "on the political side." Despite the peace accord, FARC veterans find it "very hard" to win acceptance from their compatriots, she said. Early this year, when Yorladys was pregnant, a group of armed men assaulted the local FARC party headquarters, but "thank God no one was hurt, they just made off with some of our belongings." Now Yorladys is dedicated to "organizing women to work on projects," the most immediate being a refrigerated room to keep fish and meat "for the poorest neighborhoods in the northern region." Her husband, Antonio Angulo, belonged to the FARC's 34th front. Two years after the signing of the peace accord, he celebrates "having initiated negotiations with the Colombian government, because prolonging the war would have meant many more deaths."

Colombia's women ex-rebels struggle to find place in society

A Colombian military helicopter crashed on Saturday after conducting an operation against drug traffickers, killing all four crew members, officials announced.

Defense Minister Guillermo Botero, in a Twitter message, identified the dead as Major Pedro Granados, Captain David Quintero, Sergeant Ramiro Santos and Corporal Eduardo Gutierrez.

The wreckage of the helicopter, an army Black Hawk, was found on the ground between the cities of Balboa and Argelia in the country's west. Bad weather hampered the search.

A team of specialised technical investigators was heading to the crash site, a military statement said.

The craft was returning to the Jose Hilario Lopez base in the city of Popayan -- capital of Cauca department, where the government has been battling both rebels and drug gangs -- when it disappeared from radars.

The army said it immediately sent troops of an anti-drug brigade to the crash site, but bad weather impeded their efforts.

The government has long struggled against illegal armed groups and drug gangs in Cauca, whose strategic position on the Pacific Coast has made it a launching point for cocaine shipments to Central America and the United States.&nbsp;

Colombia remains the world's leading producer of cocaine, and the US remains the largest consumer.

A Colombian military helicopter crashed on Saturday after conducting an operation against drug traffickers, killing all four crew members, officials announced. Defense Minister Guillermo Botero, in a Twitter message, identified the dead as Major Pedro Granados, Captain David Quintero, Sergeant Ramiro Santos and Corporal Eduardo Gutierrez.

A Colombian military helicopter crashed on Saturday after conducting an operation against drug traffickers, killing all four crew members, officials announced. Defense Minister Guillermo Botero, in a Twitter message, identified the dead as Major Pedro Granados, Captain David Quintero, Sergeant Ramiro Santos and Corporal Eduardo Gutierrez. The wreckage of the helicopter, an army Black Hawk, was found on the ground between the cities of Balboa and Argelia in the country's west. Bad weather hampered the search. A team of specialised technical investigators was heading to the crash site, a military statement said. The craft was returning to the Jose Hilario Lopez base in the city of Popayan -- capital of Cauca department, where the government has been battling both rebels and drug gangs -- when it disappeared from radars. The army said it immediately sent troops of an anti-drug brigade to the crash site, but bad weather impeded their efforts. The government has long struggled against illegal armed groups and drug gangs in Cauca, whose strategic position on the Pacific Coast has made it a launching point for cocaine shipments to Central America and the United States. Colombia remains the world's leading producer of cocaine, and the US remains the largest consumer.

Colombian military chopper crashes, killing 4: Officials

By Louis Monroy-Santander

Colombia’s new president Ivan Duque has begun his tenure facing a number of significant challenges. He must manage the 2016 peace deal achieved by his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, which he believes lets some former Farc guerillas off too lightly.&nbsp;

He must battle drug production, which has been rising since the end of the armed conflict. And he must manage the desperate humanitarian and political crisis that is seeping across the border from neighbouring Venezuela.

Thanks to Santos’s peace diplomacy, which helped bring to an end five decades of fighting, Colombia now has the opportunity to open up and expand its foreign policy approach. Duque could now develop a more amicable and positive vision that enables him to establish agreements on social, political, economic and humanitarian issues with countries around the world.

Consequently, Duque’s foreign policy approach is being closely monitored – particularly how it tallies with that of the Trump administration in the US. Closer ties between the US and Colombia were evident during Duque’s intervention at the United Nations General Assembly and his encounter with president Donald Trump, where both drug trafficking and the Venezuelan crisis were discussed.

President Duque’s intervention insisted on the need to combat drug trafficking as a global threat, the need to combat the evident increase in illicit crop plantations, his commitment to fighting corruption, and the need to work with the international community in dealing with the most difficult migratory and humanitarian problem in the region: the Venezuelan crisis.

Colombia’s alignment with American foreign policy has increased tensions between Bogota, Washington and Caracas, leading to speculation about a possible military intervention into Venezuela to topple the regime of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s president. Meanwhile, Trump has expressed publicly his support for Colombia as an ally in the war on drugs and offered support for Colombia in the event of a military clash with Venezuela. The US administration also announced sanctions against Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife, and Diosdado Cabello, Maduro’s top political ally.

For his part, Duque has insisted that Colombia will not support a military intervention into Venezuela, and has instead called on the international community to support sanctions that bring an end to Maduro’s regime.

The Venezuela question

Indeed, Duque opposes a closed border approach and has insisted on opening up diplomatic channels and resources to deal with the crisis in Venezuela, including the International Criminal Court to denounce the violations of the Maduro regime and initiate a peaceful democratic transition. Back in 2017, for example, Duque, together with other senators, initiated a complaint against Maduro at the ICC for the crimes of torture, political discrimination, murder and kidnapping.

But Maduro has contested the US sanctions imposed on his wife, and challenged Duque to a televised debate (to be broadcast both in Colombia and Venezuela) to discuss the range of issues affecting bilateral relations – an invitation rejected by Duque, who deemed it a mere electoral stunt. Maduro has also deployed Venezuelan troops along the Colombian border, justifying these troop movements as a strategy for combating illegal drug networks located along the border, an act interpreted by both Trump and Duque as intimidation.

Although international pressure is a useful instrument for weakening Maduro’s administration, the ongoing and escalating verbal clashes between the three presidents is a dangerous strategy.

US military interventions are viewed with great suspicion in Latin America, particularly after those in Granada and Panama became enforced occupations. A US/Colombian intervention in Venezuela would likely require troops to stay for the long haul, in a country where most physical and social structures have been destroyed, drug traffickers benefit from widespread lawlessness and nation-building would be a lengthy process. The presence of US troops would also play into the hands of Maduro, who already rails to his supporters about US plots against him.

However, the US has often used indirect means to influence events in South America, using allied forces and governments in the region to intervene on its behalf. Trump, for example, has met with various officers of the Venezuelan military since 2017, to discuss the possibility of a coup against president Maduro, although none have ended in concrete material support.

Colombia, therefore, plays a vital role in the current situation – both as Venezuela’s closest neighbour and the most important regional US ally – and the Duque administration has rejected signing the Lima declaration which would have ruled out any intervention leading to regime change in Venezuela.

But an internal coup in Venezuela – with the support of the US and Colombia – would be beset with difficulties. It would require an overarching political and military strategy, as well as regional tactical coordination, with agreements based on varying interests and loyalties. The Venezuelan military, meanwhile, has been purged and politicised through a constant rotation of army commanders since 2002. Irrespective of what Colombia and the US want, putting plans into place in a country as chaotic as Venezuela will be no easy feat.

 
(Louis Monroy-Santander is Teaching Fellow in Defence, Development and Diplomacy, Durham University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/tensions-rise-between-colombia-us-and-venezuela-amid-rumours-of-a-military-intervention-104340">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

By Louis Monroy-Santander Colombia’s new president Ivan Duque has begun his tenure facing a number of significant challenges. He must manage the 2016 peace deal achieved by his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, which he believes lets some former Farc guerillas off too lightly.

By Louis Monroy-Santander Colombia’s new president Ivan Duque has begun his tenure facing a number of significant challenges. He must manage the 2016 peace deal achieved by his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, which he believes lets some former Farc guerillas off too lightly. He must battle drug production, which has been rising since the end of the armed conflict. And he must manage the desperate humanitarian and political crisis that is seeping across the border from neighbouring Venezuela. Thanks to Santos’s peace diplomacy, which helped bring to an end five decades of fighting, Colombia now has the opportunity to open up and expand its foreign policy approach. Duque could now develop a more amicable and positive vision that enables him to establish agreements on social, political, economic and humanitarian issues with countries around the world. Consequently, Duque’s foreign policy approach is being closely monitored – particularly how it tallies with that of the Trump administration in the US. Closer ties between the US and Colombia were evident during Duque’s intervention at the United Nations General Assembly and his encounter with president Donald Trump, where both drug trafficking and the Venezuelan crisis were discussed. President Duque’s intervention insisted on the need to combat drug trafficking as a global threat, the need to combat the evident increase in illicit crop plantations, his commitment to fighting corruption, and the need to work with the international community in dealing with the most difficult migratory and humanitarian problem in the region: the Venezuelan crisis. Colombia’s alignment with American foreign policy has increased tensions between Bogota, Washington and Caracas, leading to speculation about a possible military intervention into Venezuela to topple the regime of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s president. Meanwhile, Trump has expressed publicly his support for Colombia as an ally in the war on drugs and offered support for Colombia in the event of a military clash with Venezuela. The US administration also announced sanctions against Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife, and Diosdado Cabello, Maduro’s top political ally. For his part, Duque has insisted that Colombia will not support a military intervention into Venezuela, and has instead called on the international community to support sanctions that bring an end to Maduro’s regime. The Venezuela question Indeed, Duque opposes a closed border approach and has insisted on opening up diplomatic channels and resources to deal with the crisis in Venezuela, including the International Criminal Court to denounce the violations of the Maduro regime and initiate a peaceful democratic transition. Back in 2017, for example, Duque, together with other senators, initiated a complaint against Maduro at the ICC for the crimes of torture, political discrimination, murder and kidnapping. But Maduro has contested the US sanctions imposed on his wife, and challenged Duque to a televised debate (to be broadcast both in Colombia and Venezuela) to discuss the range of issues affecting bilateral relations – an invitation rejected by Duque, who deemed it a mere electoral stunt. Maduro has also deployed Venezuelan troops along the Colombian border, justifying these troop movements as a strategy for combating illegal drug networks located along the border, an act interpreted by both Trump and Duque as intimidation. Although international pressure is a useful instrument for weakening Maduro’s administration, the ongoing and escalating verbal clashes between the three presidents is a dangerous strategy. US military interventions are viewed with great suspicion in Latin America, particularly after those in Granada and Panama became enforced occupations. A US/Colombian intervention in Venezuela would likely require troops to stay for the long haul, in a country where most physical and social structures have been destroyed, drug traffickers benefit from widespread lawlessness and nation-building would be a lengthy process. The presence of US troops would also play into the hands of Maduro, who already rails to his supporters about US plots against him. However, the US has often used indirect means to influence events in South America, using allied forces and governments in the region to intervene on its behalf. Trump, for example, has met with various officers of the Venezuelan military since 2017, to discuss the possibility of a coup against president Maduro, although none have ended in concrete material support. Colombia, therefore, plays a vital role in the current situation – both as Venezuela’s closest neighbour and the most important regional US ally – and the Duque administration has rejected signing the Lima declaration which would have ruled out any intervention leading to regime change in Venezuela. But an internal coup in Venezuela – with the support of the US and Colombia – would be beset with difficulties. It would require an overarching political and military strategy, as well as regional tactical coordination, with agreements based on varying interests and loyalties. The Venezuelan military, meanwhile, has been purged and politicised through a constant rotation of army commanders since 2002. Irrespective of what Colombia and the US want, putting plans into place in a country as chaotic as Venezuela will be no easy feat. (Louis Monroy-Santander is Teaching Fellow in Defence, Development and Diplomacy, Durham University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Tensions rise between Colombia, US and Venezuela amid rumours of a military intervention

Colombia are playing in their fifth World Cup, with their quarter-final appearance at Brazil 2014 -- where they lost to the hosts -- their best performance. The Andean country is best remembered for its 1990s team featuring characters such as eccentric goalkeeper Rene Higuita and blond-locked Carlos Valderrama.

<hr />
Coach: Jose Pekerman

The silver-haired Argentine has led Colombia since 2012, pulling the "cafeteros" (coffee-makers) out of a lean period and propelling them to their first consecutive World Cups. He put faith in the talented squad's attacking instincts and most notably in striker Radamel Falcao. Pekerman, 68, also had a two-year stint as coach of the Argentina team that went to the 2006 World Cup but lost to hosts Germany in the quarter-finals. He has a close link to Colombia, however, having played half his career as a midfielder for Independiente Medellin.

<hr />
Key players:

James Rodriguez: Fresh from clinching a sixth successive Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich, the 26-year-old Rodriguez will be hoping to keep up his winning streak in Russia. "Hamez," as his adoring Colombian fans pronounce his first name, was top scorer at the 2014 World Cup and won over many in the public with his dazzling goals and dancing celebrations. There is much more pressure on the left-footed midfielder this time around, however, but 'James-mania' may well strike again.

Radamel Falcao: Monaco striker Radamel Falcao, 32, missed out on the 2014 World Cup due to a ligament injury. But "El Tigre" (The Tiger) is planning to roar back in Russia and has confessed to daydreaming about the goals he wants to score for the canary-yellow team.

Juan Cuadrado: The Juventus winger is feared for his fierce counter-attacks and goals from near-impossible angles. Cuadrado, 29, was unable to play for Juve for three months due to a groin injury but when he returned against AC Milan in March, he scored barely 15 minutes in to set his side on the way to a 3-1 win.

<hr />
Form guide:

Colombia had a disappointing qualifying campaign but their attacking prowess and ability to turn games has been on display since. Trailing 2-0 in a friendly against France in March, they clawed back to beat "Les Bleus" 3-2 at the Stade de France. But Colombia were unable to beat Australia a few days later in a goalless draw that highlighted the South American team's sometimes erratic form.

How they qualified:

Colombia did just enough to secure the fourth spot in the South American group but they scored only 21 goals and limped over the line with three draws and a defeat in their final four games. Pekerman fielded 45 players in their 18-match qualifying campaign as he struggled to find the right formula to overcome an unexpected shortage of goals in a team brimming with top forwards.

<hr />
Prospects:

With a formidable attack and a relatively manageable group, Colombia are highly competitive. Group H, where Colombia will face Japan, Senegal, and Poland, is the only one to lack a World Cup winner and should provide opportunities for the South Americans to rack up a few goals.

<hr />
Colombia's fixture:

June 19

05:30 PM | Colombia vs Japan | Mordovia Arena, Saransk

June 24

11:30 PM | Poland vs Colombia | Kazan Arena, Kazan

June 28

07:30 PM | Senegal vs Colombia | Cosmos Arena, Samar&nbsp

<hr />
Squad:

Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Arsenal/ENG), Camilo Vargas (Deportivo Cali), Ivan Arboleda (Banfield/ARG), Jose Fernando Cuadrado (Once Caldas)

Defenders: Yerri Mina (Barcelona/ESP), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham/ENG), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Farid Diaz (Olimpia/PAR), Bernardo Espinoza (Girona/ESP), Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors/ARG), Stefan Medina (Monterrey/MEX), Johan Mojica (Girona/ESP), Oscar Murillo (Pachuca/MEX), William Tesillo (Leon/MEX), Cristián Zapata (Milan/ITA)

Midfielders: James Rodríguez (Bayern Múnich/GER), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate/ARG), Abel Aguilar (Deportivo Cali), Wilmar Barrios (Boca Juniors/ARG), Edwin Cardona (Boca Juniors/ARG), Yimmi Charrá (Junior), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Juventus/ITA), Gustavo Cuellar (Flamengo/BRA), Jefferson Lima (Levante/ESP), Giovanni Moreno (Shangai Shenhua/CHN), Sebastián Pérez (Boca Juniors/ARG), Carlos Sanchez (Espanyol/ESP), Mateús Uribe (América/MEX)

Forwards: Radamel Falcao García (Mónaco/FRA), Carlos Bacca (Villareal/ESP), Luis Fernando Muriel (Sevilla/ESP), Miguel Borja (Palmeiras/BRA), Teófilo Gutierrez (Junior), Jose Heriberto Izquierdo (Brighton/ENG), Duván Zapata (Sampdoria/ITA)

<img alt="fifa 2018 Russia.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/sports/fifa%202018%20Russia.jpg" width="770" />

Colombia are playing in their fifth World Cup, with their quarter-final appearance at Brazil 2014 -- where they lost to the hosts -- their best performance

Colombia are playing in their fifth World Cup, with their quarter-final appearance at Brazil 2014 -- where they lost to the hosts -- their best performance. The Andean country is best remembered for its 1990s team featuring characters such as eccentric goalkeeper Rene Higuita and blond-locked Carlos Valderrama. Coach: Jose Pekerman The silver-haired Argentine has led Colombia since 2012, pulling the "cafeteros" (coffee-makers) out of a lean period and propelling them to their first consecutive World Cups. He put faith in the talented squad's attacking instincts and most notably in striker Radamel Falcao. Pekerman, 68, also had a two-year stint as coach of the Argentina team that went to the 2006 World Cup but lost to hosts Germany in the quarter-finals. He has a close link to Colombia, however, having played half his career as a midfielder for Independiente Medellin. Key players: James Rodriguez: Fresh from clinching a sixth successive Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich, the 26-year-old Rodriguez will be hoping to keep up his winning streak in Russia. "Hamez," as his adoring Colombian fans pronounce his first name, was top scorer at the 2014 World Cup and won over many in the public with his dazzling goals and dancing celebrations. There is much more pressure on the left-footed midfielder this time around, however, but 'James-mania' may well strike again. Radamel Falcao: Monaco striker Radamel Falcao, 32, missed out on the 2014 World Cup due to a ligament injury. But "El Tigre" (The Tiger) is planning to roar back in Russia and has confessed to daydreaming about the goals he wants to score for the canary-yellow team. Juan Cuadrado: The Juventus winger is feared for his fierce counter-attacks and goals from near-impossible angles. Cuadrado, 29, was unable to play for Juve for three months due to a groin injury but when he returned against AC Milan in March, he scored barely 15 minutes in to set his side on the way to a 3-1 win. Form guide: Colombia had a disappointing qualifying campaign but their attacking prowess and ability to turn games has been on display since. Trailing 2-0 in a friendly against France in March, they clawed back to beat "Les Bleus" 3-2 at the Stade de France. But Colombia were unable to beat Australia a few days later in a goalless draw that highlighted the South American team's sometimes erratic form. How they qualified: Colombia did just enough to secure the fourth spot in the South American group but they scored only 21 goals and limped over the line with three draws and a defeat in their final four games. Pekerman fielded 45 players in their 18-match qualifying campaign as he struggled to find the right formula to overcome an unexpected shortage of goals in a team brimming with top forwards. Prospects: With a formidable attack and a relatively manageable group, Colombia are highly competitive. Group H, where Colombia will face Japan, Senegal, and Poland, is the only one to lack a World Cup winner and should provide opportunities for the South Americans to rack up a few goals. Colombia's fixture: June 19 05:30 PM | Colombia vs Japan | Mordovia Arena, Saransk June 24 11:30 PM | Poland vs Colombia | Kazan Arena, Kazan June 28 07:30 PM | Senegal vs Colombia | Cosmos Arena, Samar Squad: Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Arsenal/ENG), Camilo Vargas (Deportivo Cali), Ivan Arboleda (Banfield/ARG), Jose Fernando Cuadrado (Once Caldas) Defenders: Yerri Mina (Barcelona/ESP), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham/ENG), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven/NED), Farid Diaz (Olimpia/PAR), Bernardo Espinoza (Girona/ESP), Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors/ARG), Stefan Medina (Monterrey/MEX), Johan Mojica (Girona/ESP), Oscar Murillo (Pachuca/MEX), William Tesillo (Leon/MEX), Cristián Zapata (Milan/ITA) Midfielders: James Rodríguez (Bayern Múnich/GER), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate/ARG), Abel Aguilar (Deportivo Cali), Wilmar Barrios (Boca Juniors/ARG), Edwin Cardona (Boca Juniors/ARG), Yimmi Charrá (Junior), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Juventus/ITA), Gustavo Cuellar (Flamengo/BRA), Jefferson Lima (Levante/ESP), Giovanni Moreno (Shangai Shenhua/CHN), Sebastián Pérez (Boca Juniors/ARG), Carlos Sanchez (Espanyol/ESP), Mateús Uribe (América/MEX) Forwards: Radamel Falcao García (Mónaco/FRA), Carlos Bacca (Villareal/ESP), Luis Fernando Muriel (Sevilla/ESP), Miguel Borja (Palmeiras/BRA), Teófilo Gutierrez (Junior), Jose Heriberto Izquierdo (Brighton/ENG), Duván Zapata (Sampdoria/ITA)

FIFA World Cup 2018: A complete profile of Colombia

Colombia headed for its most divisive presidential race in decades after right-winger Ivan Duque won Sunday's first-round vote, triggering a runoff with leftist Gustavo Petro that could upset a historic peace deal or see a reversal in business-friendly policies.

It is the first time in Colombia's modern history that an openly leftist candidate has reached the second round of a presidential vote, a prospect that has unnerved some investors in Latin America's fourth-largest economy.

Duque, a 41-year-old former official of the Washington-based InterAmerican Development Bank, was the convincing winner of Sunday's ballot with 39 percent of votes, ahead of Petro, an outspoken ex-mayor of Bogota, with 25 percent, broadly in line with polls.

However, Duque's pledge to overhaul the 2016 peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) by scrapping immunity for those convicted of crimes has alarmed many Colombians, weary after five decades of conflict that killed more than 200,000 people and left 7 million others displaced.

Though outgoing President Juan Manuel Santos won the Nobel Peace Prize for forging the accord, it has deeply divided the nation of around 50 million people. The deal was narrowly rejected in a referendum before Congress finally approved a modified version.

Petro, himself a former member of the now defunct M-19 rebel group, has backed the peace agreement, along with the three other losing candidates, meaning Duque may need to moderate his position to attract wavering voters in the June 17 second round.

"We don't want to shatter the agreement. We want to make it clear that a Colombia of peace is a Colombia where peace meets justice," Duque said in a victory speech on Sunday to cheering supporters, in which he complimented third-place finisher Sergio Fajardo and said their social agendas had much in common.

Fajardo, a center-left mathematician who won 24 percent of the vote, has declined to endorse either candidate for the second round, saying his supporters would make up their own minds.

"It would be disrespectful to say I am the owner of the votes," Fajardo told Blu Radio on Monday, adding that he would meet with his team to discuss options.

All recent polls have predicted that Duque would beat Petro in a second round and that Fajardo was the only candidate who could have posed a risk to the conservative frontrunner if he had made it through.

However, some political analysts in Colombia said that the votes of the centre-left could be enough for Petro to at least mount a serious challenge to Duque, provided he can dodge his rival's accusations of radicalism.

"Petro was quite clearly behind Duque in the vote so that will reassure the markets," said Camilo Perez, head of economic studies at Banco de Bogota. "But the fact that Fajardo was so close to Petro may generate nervousness, as his approach is probably closer to Petro's and that could send votes (Petro's) way."

However, Petro's more hardline rhetoric could also put off centre-left voters, said Citigroup analyst Munir Jalil.

Colombia's COLCAP stock index was down 0.65 percent, with many investors assuming the election was Duque's to lose. The yield on the local Treasury bond maturing July 2024 slipped to 6.044 from 6.071 on Friday, while trade in the peso currency was closed for the U.S. Memorial Day holiday.

'Enriching the poor'

The winner of the second round will face an intimidating array of challenges, from stubbornly low economic growth to threats to Colombia's prized investment-grade credit rating, as well as difficulties in implementing the peace accord.

Some areas abandoned by the FARC have suffered an increase in fighting between criminal gangs and a remaining guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), over valuable illegal mining and drug trafficking territories.

Polls suggest the end of the FARC conflict has shifted voters' priorities to inequality and corruption from security issues, opening the door to the left for the first time.

However, a growing crisis in neighbouring socialist-run Venezuela, which has driven hundreds of thousands of desperate people across the border, is a thorn in Petro's side. Duque's camp alleges he would plunge Colombia into a similar crisis.

While Duque has pledged to cut taxes and support private enterprise, Petro has promised to take power away from the political and social elites he accuses of stymieing development.

At his election night party in the capital, Petro struck a moderate tone, though, as both he and Duque seek to attract centrist voters.

"When we talk about defeating poverty, we're not talking about impoverishing the rich, but about enriching the poor," said the bespectacled Petro, surrounded by family members.

In a country where oil and coal are the top export earners, Petro's pledges to end extractive industries have dismayed business leaders and centrists.

"Our country has never lived such a polarized moment as this and Petro represents a huge danger," Mariana Riaño, a 21-year-old student, said at Duque's celebration party at a conference centre in Bogota. "But we are going to beat him."

It is the first time in Colombia's modern history that an openly leftist candidate has reached the second round of a presidential vote

Colombia headed for its most divisive presidential race in decades after right-winger Ivan Duque won Sunday's first-round vote, triggering a runoff with leftist Gustavo Petro that could upset a historic peace deal or see a reversal in business-friendly policies. It is the first time in Colombia's modern history that an openly leftist candidate has reached the second round of a presidential vote, a prospect that has unnerved some investors in Latin America's fourth-largest economy. Duque, a 41-year-old former official of the Washington-based InterAmerican Development Bank, was the convincing winner of Sunday's ballot with 39 percent of votes, ahead of Petro, an outspoken ex-mayor of Bogota, with 25 percent, broadly in line with polls. However, Duque's pledge to overhaul the 2016 peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) by scrapping immunity for those convicted of crimes has alarmed many Colombians, weary after five decades of conflict that killed more than 200,000 people and left 7 million others displaced. Though outgoing President Juan Manuel Santos won the Nobel Peace Prize for forging the accord, it has deeply divided the nation of around 50 million people. The deal was narrowly rejected in a referendum before Congress finally approved a modified version. Petro, himself a former member of the now defunct M-19 rebel group, has backed the peace agreement, along with the three other losing candidates, meaning Duque may need to moderate his position to attract wavering voters in the June 17 second round. "We don't want to shatter the agreement. We want to make it clear that a Colombia of peace is a Colombia where peace meets justice," Duque said in a victory speech on Sunday to cheering supporters, in which he complimented third-place finisher Sergio Fajardo and said their social agendas had much in common. Fajardo, a center-left mathematician who won 24 percent of the vote, has declined to endorse either candidate for the second round, saying his supporters would make up their own minds. "It would be disrespectful to say I am the owner of the votes," Fajardo told Blu Radio on Monday, adding that he would meet with his team to discuss options. All recent polls have predicted that Duque would beat Petro in a second round and that Fajardo was the only candidate who could have posed a risk to the conservative frontrunner if he had made it through. However, some political analysts in Colombia said that the votes of the centre-left could be enough for Petro to at least mount a serious challenge to Duque, provided he can dodge his rival's accusations of radicalism. "Petro was quite clearly behind Duque in the vote so that will reassure the markets," said Camilo Perez, head of economic studies at Banco de Bogota. "But the fact that Fajardo was so close to Petro may generate nervousness, as his approach is probably closer to Petro's and that could send votes (Petro's) way." However, Petro's more hardline rhetoric could also put off centre-left voters, said Citigroup analyst Munir Jalil. Colombia's COLCAP stock index was down 0.65 percent, with many investors assuming the election was Duque's to lose. The yield on the local Treasury bond maturing July 2024 slipped to 6.044 from 6.071 on Friday, while trade in the peso currency was closed for the U.S. Memorial Day holiday. 'Enriching the poor' The winner of the second round will face an intimidating array of challenges, from stubbornly low economic growth to threats to Colombia's prized investment-grade credit rating, as well as difficulties in implementing the peace accord. Some areas abandoned by the FARC have suffered an increase in fighting between criminal gangs and a remaining guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN), over valuable illegal mining and drug trafficking territories. Polls suggest the end of the FARC conflict has shifted voters' priorities to inequality and corruption from security issues, opening the door to the left for the first time. However, a growing crisis in neighbouring socialist-run Venezuela, which has driven hundreds of thousands of desperate people across the border, is a thorn in Petro's side. Duque's camp alleges he would plunge Colombia into a similar crisis. While Duque has pledged to cut taxes and support private enterprise, Petro has promised to take power away from the political and social elites he accuses of stymieing development. At his election night party in the capital, Petro struck a moderate tone, though, as both he and Duque seek to attract centrist voters. "When we talk about defeating poverty, we're not talking about impoverishing the rich, but about enriching the poor," said the bespectacled Petro, surrounded by family members. In a country where oil and coal are the top export earners, Petro's pledges to end extractive industries have dismayed business leaders and centrists. "Our country has never lived such a polarized moment as this and Petro represents a huge danger," Mariana Riaño, a 21-year-old student, said at Duque's celebration party at a conference centre in Bogota. "But we are going to beat him."

Colombia heads for divisive runoff with peace deal at stake

Colombia will next week formally become NATO's first Latin American "global partner," President Juan Manuel Santos announced Friday.

Santos, who won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end a half-century of armed conflict with the former rebel movement FARC, said the move would improve Colombia's image on the world stage.

"We will formalize in Brussels next week -- and this is very important -- Colombia's entry into NATO in the category of global partner. We will be the only country in Latin America with this privilege," the president said in a televised address.

In addition to Colombia, NATO lists Afghanistan, Australia, Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand and Pakistan as "partners across the globe" or simply "global partners."

Each country "has developed an Individual Partnership Cooperation Program" with the 29-country US-led alliance, with many contributing actively to NATO missions.

Colombia and NATO reached a partnership deal in May 2017 following the conclusion of the peace accord with FARC, now a political party.

According to NATO's website areas of cooperation include cyber security, maritime security, terrorism and its links to organized crime, as well as building the capacities and capabilities of the Colombian armed forces.

Colombia will next week formally become NATO's first Latin American 'global partner,' President Juan Manuel Santos announced Friday

Colombia will next week formally become NATO's first Latin American "global partner," President Juan Manuel Santos announced Friday. Santos, who won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end a half-century of armed conflict with the former rebel movement FARC, said the move would improve Colombia's image on the world stage. "We will formalize in Brussels next week -- and this is very important -- Colombia's entry into NATO in the category of global partner. We will be the only country in Latin America with this privilege," the president said in a televised address. In addition to Colombia, NATO lists Afghanistan, Australia, Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand and Pakistan as "partners across the globe" or simply "global partners." Each country "has developed an Individual Partnership Cooperation Program" with the 29-country US-led alliance, with many contributing actively to NATO missions. Colombia and NATO reached a partnership deal in May 2017 following the conclusion of the peace accord with FARC, now a political party. According to NATO's website areas of cooperation include cyber security, maritime security, terrorism and its links to organized crime, as well as building the capacities and capabilities of the Colombian armed forces.

Colombia to become first Latin American NATO 'global partner'

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At least five policemen were killed and 41 others were left injured when a homemade bomb exploded outside a police station on Saturday in the Colombian city of Barranquilla.&nbsp;

The blast comes hours after a high-powered car bomb gutted another police station near the border in neighbouring Ecuador.

The attack was one of the deadliest on security personnel in recent years, in one of Colombia&#39;s most important cities.

It comes as the government of President Juan Manuel Santos seeks to bring the armed conflict that has wracked Colombia for 50 years to an end. Much of the violence has been financed by drug trafficking.

As per media reports, head of Barranquilla&#39;s police,&nbsp;Mariano Botero,&nbsp;said the attack may have been carried out by associates of a local crime boss known as &quot;Happy,&quot; who was arrested recently on charges of drug trafficking, extorting businesses and terrorizing residents with threats of murder in the Caribbean city.

&quot;I do not have the slightest doubt that this is a retaliation&quot; for successful police action against drug traffickers, he told reporters.

Botero also suggested that the attack could be in revenge after a police crackdown on local drug traffickers.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of carrying out the attack, according to attorney general Nestor Martinez.

&quot;We will charge (him) with five aggravated murders ... attempted murder, terrorism and use of explosives,&quot; he told a press conference.

 
&nbsp;

Head of Barranquilla's police suggested that the attack could be in revenge after a police crackdown on local drug traffickers

At least five policemen were killed and 41 others were left injured when a homemade bomb exploded outside a police station on Saturday in the Colombian city of Barranquilla. The blast comes hours after a high-powered car bomb gutted another police station near the border in neighbouring Ecuador. The attack was one of the deadliest on security personnel in recent years, in one of Colombia's most important cities. It comes as the government of President Juan Manuel Santos seeks to bring the armed conflict that has wracked Colombia for 50 years to an end. Much of the violence has been financed by drug trafficking. As per media reports, head of Barranquilla's police, Mariano Botero, said the attack may have been carried out by associates of a local crime boss known as "Happy," who was arrested recently on charges of drug trafficking, extorting businesses and terrorizing residents with threats of murder in the Caribbean city. "I do not have the slightest doubt that this is a retaliation" for successful police action against drug traffickers, he told reporters. Botero also suggested that the attack could be in revenge after a police crackdown on local drug traffickers. A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of carrying out the attack, according to attorney general Nestor Martinez. "We will charge (him) with five aggravated murders ... attempted murder, terrorism and use of explosives," he told a press conference.

5 dead, 41 injured after attack in Colombia

Colombia&#39;s Marxist FARC rebels concluded their disarmament on Tuesday, handing in all but a few of their individual weapons to the United Nations and ending their role in a half-century war that killed more than 220,000 and displaced millions.

The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, turned in the remaining 40 per cent of their firearms in Mesetas, a mountainous area in southeastern Colombia. The roughly 7,000 former fighters have pledged to continue their struggle as a political movement.

The 7,132 weapons will be stored in containers until they are moulded into a monument for peace. Explosives and bigger weapons are being cleared from caches nationwide and a few guns will remain for security at 26 camps until they close on Aug. 1.

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<h5>Today doesn&#39;t end the existence of the FARC, it ends our armed struggle,&#39; said Rodrigo Londono, the FARC&#39;s top commander, who goes by his nom de guerre Timochenko. &#39;Farewell to arms, farewell to war, welcome to peace&#39;</h5>
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&quot;Today doesn&#39;t end the existence of the FARC, it ends our armed struggle,&quot; said Rodrigo Londono, the FARC&#39;s top commander, who goes by his nom de guerre Timochenko.

&quot;Farewell to arms, farewell to war, welcome to peace.&quot;

Financed by drug trafficking, kidnapping for ransom and extortion, the FARC had about 17,000 combatants in the 1990s, capable of launching military attacks close to Bogota, the capital.

But the rebel group that began in 1964 as a peasant army demanding agrarian reform was battered deep into Colombia&#39;s inhospitable jungles by a relentless military offensive that began in 2002 during Alvaro Uribe&#39;s presidency.

The US-backed campaign improved security and helped the nation of 49 million people, once considered nearly a failed state, lure back investors and tourists.

Rich in commodities like oil, coal, gold and coffee, it is one of Washington&#39;s closest allies in Latin America and has a long history of market-friendly governments.

&quot;Today is a very special day, the day weapons became words... I can say from the bottom of my heart that to live this day, to achieve this day, has made worthwhile being president of Colombia,&rdquo; said President Juan Manuel Santos, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016. &quot;Our peace is real, and it&#39;s irreversible.&quot;

Although the government promises to provide protection, the FARC is concerned about security. Thousands of former guerrillas were assassinated by paramilitaries after joining a political party during a peace attempt in the 1980s.

Santos, who took office in 2010, began secret talks with FARC commanders that led to negotiations in Cuba and a final peace accord late last year. He is trying for a similar accord with the National Liberation Army (ELN).

Peace with the FARC, however, is unlikely to end violence in Colombia as the lucrative cocaine business has given rise to criminal gangs and traffickers.

&nbsp;

The roughly 7,000 former fighters have pledged to continue their struggle as a political movement

Colombia's Marxist FARC rebels concluded their disarmament on Tuesday, handing in all but a few of their individual weapons to the United Nations and ending their role in a half-century war that killed more than 220,000 and displaced millions. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, turned in the remaining 40 per cent of their firearms in Mesetas, a mountainous area in southeastern Colombia. The roughly 7,000 former fighters have pledged to continue their struggle as a political movement. The 7,132 weapons will be stored in containers until they are moulded into a monument for peace. Explosives and bigger weapons are being cleared from caches nationwide and a few guns will remain for security at 26 camps until they close on Aug. 1. Today doesn't end the existence of the FARC, it ends our armed struggle,' said Rodrigo Londono, the FARC's top commander, who goes by his nom de guerre Timochenko. 'Farewell to arms, farewell to war, welcome to peace' × "Today doesn't end the existence of the FARC, it ends our armed struggle," said Rodrigo Londono, the FARC's top commander, who goes by his nom de guerre Timochenko. "Farewell to arms, farewell to war, welcome to peace." Financed by drug trafficking, kidnapping for ransom and extortion, the FARC had about 17,000 combatants in the 1990s, capable of launching military attacks close to Bogota, the capital. But the rebel group that began in 1964 as a peasant army demanding agrarian reform was battered deep into Colombia's inhospitable jungles by a relentless military offensive that began in 2002 during Alvaro Uribe's presidency. The US-backed campaign improved security and helped the nation of 49 million people, once considered nearly a failed state, lure back investors and tourists. Rich in commodities like oil, coal, gold and coffee, it is one of Washington's closest allies in Latin America and has a long history of market-friendly governments. "Today is a very special day, the day weapons became words... I can say from the bottom of my heart that to live this day, to achieve this day, has made worthwhile being president of Colombia,” said President Juan Manuel Santos, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016. "Our peace is real, and it's irreversible." Although the government promises to provide protection, the FARC is concerned about security. Thousands of former guerrillas were assassinated by paramilitaries after joining a political party during a peace attempt in the 1980s. Santos, who took office in 2010, began secret talks with FARC commanders that led to negotiations in Cuba and a final peace accord late last year. He is trying for a similar accord with the National Liberation Army (ELN). Peace with the FARC, however, is unlikely to end violence in Colombia as the lucrative cocaine business has given rise to criminal gangs and traffickers.

FARC rebels turn in weapons to UN, end 50-year war with Colombia

Colombia&#39;s FARC rebels begin disarming Wednesday under a historic peace deal, beginning the delicate transition from guerrilla army to political party after more than half a century at war.

After weeks of mustering its troops at designated disarmament zones, the FARC, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, was set to begin an inventory of its weapons and destroying munitions under United Nations supervision.

&quot;I&#39;m abandoning my rifle for a broom,&quot; said guerrilla Maritza Gonzalez at the FARC&#39;s hot, dusty camp in San Jose de Oriente, in northern Colombia.

Three armed guerrillas in combat fatigues guarded the entrance to the rudimentary camp, where a steady stream of trucks delivered bags of cement and workers scrambled to finish building a kitchen, mess hall, bathrooms and a laundry area.

Gonzalez, 54, has been a guerrilla since the age of 14. She said she was hopeful for the future and planned to reunite with her five brothers and four sisters.

&quot;Let&#39;s hope this leads to peace,&quot; she told AFP.

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<h5>Maritza Gonzalez, 54, has been a guerrilla since the age of 14. She said she was hopeful for the future and planned to reunite with her five brothers and four sisters. &#39;Let&#39;s hope this leads to peace&#39;</h5>
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President Juan Manuel Santos, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in October for his efforts to end the country&#39;s 53-year conflict, called the disarmament &quot;historic news for Colombians&quot; in a tweet.

FARC leader Rodrigo &quot;Timochenko&quot; Londono tweeted that the leftist rebels were laying down their guns &quot;with enthusiasm.&quot;

The disarmament of the country&#39;s largest guerrilla army will leave rival movement ELN -- currently engaged in rocky peace talks with the government -- as the only rebel group still waging a multi-sided war that has killed 260,000 people.

The Cold War-era conflict, which has also left 60,000 people missing and uprooted 6.9 million, is the last major armed conflict in the Americas.

Colombia, South America&#39;s third economy and the world&#39;s biggest cocaine producer, has been torn since the 1960s by fighting that has drawn in multiple leftist rebel groups, right-wing paramilitary units, drug cartels and the army.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/in-colombia-peace-is-elusive-7095">Also</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/in-colombia-peace-is-elusive-7095"> read: In Colombia, peace is elusive</a>

Santos is hoping to seal a &quot;complete peace&quot; with both the FARC and the ELN.

Both leftist rebel groups took up arms against the government in 1964, in the aftermath of a crushed peasant uprising.

Next challenge: the ELN 
The FARC has some 6,900 guerrillas.

It signed a peace deal with the government in November after four years of negotiations in Cuba, but implementation is running slightly behind schedule.

Under the deal, the FARC was originally due to surrender 30 percent of its weapons to the UN by Wednesday. But that can only happen once the inventory is complete.

The government&#39;s high commissioner for peace, Sergio Jaramillo, said Tuesday that the 180-day deadline for the rebels to fully disarm would be maintained, however.

The UN said in a statement that the FARC has until May 29 to disarm.

The first to surrender their weapons will be the 322 FARC members taking part in a joint monitoring commission with the government and the UN.

Separate talks with the ELN, or National Liberation Army, took a hit this week when the rebels claimed responsibility for a series of recent attacks -- a bloody reminder of the violence Colombia still faces.

Experts warn the ELN could be a tougher negotiating partner than the FARC because it has more hardline demands for sweeping social change.

It also has a decentralized command structure that could make it harder to convince the rank and file to accept an eventual deal.&nbsp;

(AFP)

They now begin the delicate transition from guerrilla army to political party after more than half a century at war

Colombia's FARC rebels begin disarming Wednesday under a historic peace deal, beginning the delicate transition from guerrilla army to political party after more than half a century at war. After weeks of mustering its troops at designated disarmament zones, the FARC, or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, was set to begin an inventory of its weapons and destroying munitions under United Nations supervision. "I'm abandoning my rifle for a broom," said guerrilla Maritza Gonzalez at the FARC's hot, dusty camp in San Jose de Oriente, in northern Colombia. Three armed guerrillas in combat fatigues guarded the entrance to the rudimentary camp, where a steady stream of trucks delivered bags of cement and workers scrambled to finish building a kitchen, mess hall, bathrooms and a laundry area. Gonzalez, 54, has been a guerrilla since the age of 14. She said she was hopeful for the future and planned to reunite with her five brothers and four sisters. "Let's hope this leads to peace," she told AFP. Maritza Gonzalez, 54, has been a guerrilla since the age of 14. She said she was hopeful for the future and planned to reunite with her five brothers and four sisters. 'Let's hope this leads to peace' × President Juan Manuel Santos, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in October for his efforts to end the country's 53-year conflict, called the disarmament "historic news for Colombians" in a tweet. FARC leader Rodrigo "Timochenko" Londono tweeted that the leftist rebels were laying down their guns "with enthusiasm." The disarmament of the country's largest guerrilla army will leave rival movement ELN -- currently engaged in rocky peace talks with the government -- as the only rebel group still waging a multi-sided war that has killed 260,000 people. The Cold War-era conflict, which has also left 60,000 people missing and uprooted 6.9 million, is the last major armed conflict in the Americas. Colombia, South America's third economy and the world's biggest cocaine producer, has been torn since the 1960s by fighting that has drawn in multiple leftist rebel groups, right-wing paramilitary units, drug cartels and the army. Also read: In Colombia, peace is elusive Santos is hoping to seal a "complete peace" with both the FARC and the ELN. Both leftist rebel groups took up arms against the government in 1964, in the aftermath of a crushed peasant uprising. Next challenge: the ELN The FARC has some 6,900 guerrillas. It signed a peace deal with the government in November after four years of negotiations in Cuba, but implementation is running slightly behind schedule. Under the deal, the FARC was originally due to surrender 30 percent of its weapons to the UN by Wednesday. But that can only happen once the inventory is complete. The government's high commissioner for peace, Sergio Jaramillo, said Tuesday that the 180-day deadline for the rebels to fully disarm would be maintained, however. The UN said in a statement that the FARC has until May 29 to disarm. The first to surrender their weapons will be the 322 FARC members taking part in a joint monitoring commission with the government and the UN. Separate talks with the ELN, or National Liberation Army, took a hit this week when the rebels claimed responsibility for a series of recent attacks -- a bloody reminder of the violence Colombia still faces. Experts warn the ELN could be a tougher negotiating partner than the FARC because it has more hardline demands for sweeping social change. It also has a decentralized command structure that could make it harder to convince the rank and file to accept an eventual deal. (AFP)

Colombia's FARC rebels begin to disarm

An explosion near a bullring in Bogota Sunday killed a policeman and injured about 30 other people, city officials said.

Mayor Enrique Penalosa said on Twitter that the police officer was killed by an &quot;explosive&quot; while his office said separately that 31 people were injured, two of them seriously, in the incident.

It occurred near the Plaza Santamaria bullring, which was beset by protesters on January 22, when bullfights resumed there after a four-year hiatus.

The injured were mainly police protecting the venue, as they have every bullfight Sunday since the protests, local media reported.

Penalosa, who overflew the scene in a helicopter, said the area had been secured.

&quot;Anyone who wants to go to the bullfight can do so in safety,&quot; he tweeted.

&quot;The terrorists are not going to intimidate us and we are going to do what is necessary to capture them,&quot; he added.

The authorities have not said who was behind the explosion or whether anti-bullfight activists were suspected.

Closed in 2012 by the city&#39;s former leftist mayor Gustavo Petro, the bullring was ordered to reopen by Colombia&#39;s Constitutional Court.

(AFP)

The authorities have not said who was behind the explosion or whether anti-bullfight activists were suspected.

An explosion near a bullring in Bogota Sunday killed a policeman and injured about 30 other people, city officials said. Mayor Enrique Penalosa said on Twitter that the police officer was killed by an "explosive" while his office said separately that 31 people were injured, two of them seriously, in the incident. It occurred near the Plaza Santamaria bullring, which was beset by protesters on January 22, when bullfights resumed there after a four-year hiatus. The injured were mainly police protecting the venue, as they have every bullfight Sunday since the protests, local media reported. Penalosa, who overflew the scene in a helicopter, said the area had been secured. "Anyone who wants to go to the bullfight can do so in safety," he tweeted. "The terrorists are not going to intimidate us and we are going to do what is necessary to capture them," he added. The authorities have not said who was behind the explosion or whether anti-bullfight activists were suspected. Closed in 2012 by the city's former leftist mayor Gustavo Petro, the bullring was ordered to reopen by Colombia's Constitutional Court. (AFP)

Colombia: Explosion near Bogota bullring kills policeman, injures at least 30

Colombian officials said on Monday that 17 civil campaigners have been murdered over the past two months in the country, amid tensions over its contested peace process.

President Juan Manuel Santos has warned that fresh violence could destabilise the demobilisation of the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels under a historic peace accord.

He signed the deal with FARC&nbsp;and pushed it through the legislature in December, defying criticism from conservative rivals. In the weeks following, reports emerged of killings by local civil campaigners by unidentified groups in conflict areas.

On Monday the Victims&#39; Unit, a state conflict resolution body, said in a statement that &quot;17 civil leaders have been murdered since December 1, after Congress ratified the peace accord&quot;.

The last known victim was Porfirio Jaramillo, leader of a group demanding rural land restitution. He was killed on Saturday in Antioquia department, in the north-west, it said.

Land rights were at the heart of the conflict that pitted the Marxist FARC against Colombian state forces since 1964.

The peace agreement reconciles the two main rival forces in the war, but there are fears of score-settling between renegade players in the multi-sided conflict.

As well as leftist rebels and state forces, the conflict drew in right-wing paramilitaries backed by landowners.

They were supposedly disbanded in the 2000s but the FARC and other groups say former members of them are still active.

The Victims&#39; Unit said Jaramillo was taken away from his home by four armed men. Police found his dead body on Sunday morning.

&quot;We are extremely worried by these events because the truth is they are massacring social leaders,&quot; the unit&#39;s director, Alan Jara, said in a statement.

He called on prosecutors to investigate the killings and urged authorities to provide protection for social group leaders.

(AFP)

The killings have taken place after Santos' Nobel Peace Prize and after the historic peace accord with FARC, which is under threat now

Colombian officials said on Monday that 17 civil campaigners have been murdered over the past two months in the country, amid tensions over its contested peace process. President Juan Manuel Santos has warned that fresh violence could destabilise the demobilisation of the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels under a historic peace accord. He signed the deal with FARC and pushed it through the legislature in December, defying criticism from conservative rivals. In the weeks following, reports emerged of killings by local civil campaigners by unidentified groups in conflict areas. On Monday the Victims' Unit, a state conflict resolution body, said in a statement that "17 civil leaders have been murdered since December 1, after Congress ratified the peace accord". The last known victim was Porfirio Jaramillo, leader of a group demanding rural land restitution. He was killed on Saturday in Antioquia department, in the north-west, it said. Land rights were at the heart of the conflict that pitted the Marxist FARC against Colombian state forces since 1964. The peace agreement reconciles the two main rival forces in the war, but there are fears of score-settling between renegade players in the multi-sided conflict. As well as leftist rebels and state forces, the conflict drew in right-wing paramilitaries backed by landowners. They were supposedly disbanded in the 2000s but the FARC and other groups say former members of them are still active. The Victims' Unit said Jaramillo was taken away from his home by four armed men. Police found his dead body on Sunday morning. "We are extremely worried by these events because the truth is they are massacring social leaders," the unit's director, Alan Jara, said in a statement. He called on prosecutors to investigate the killings and urged authorities to provide protection for social group leaders. (AFP)

Colombia: 17 civil leaders 'massacred', officials say

After some delays, Colombia&#39;s FARC rebels could begin disarming in the coming weeks and the laying down of weapons under the historic peace deal could be completed by early June, a UN envoy has said.

Some 5,700 fighters from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are to lay down their weapons under the agreement signed in November to end more than five decades of conflict in the South American country.

Jean Arnault yesterday told the Security Council that the main focus of the peace effort now was setting up 26 UN-monitored camps where the rebels will gather to hand over their weapons.

Once the camps are set up, this &quot;will hopefully allow the arms laydown process to begin in the next few weeks,&quot; said Arnault, the head of the UN political mission in Colombia.

Colombia&#39;s government and the rebel leadership are determined &quot;to do everything possible to meet the original goal of the comprehensive laydown of weapons by early June,&quot; he added.

An amnesty law passed in late December cleared one of the hurdles in the way of disarmament, but Arnault cited logistical problems linked to the large number and remote locations of the camps among other issues.

About 350 of the 450 monitors serving in a UN peace mission have been deployed to oversee the laying down of weapons.

Construction has begun on one-third of the camps while preparations are ongoing in another third, but the remainder face difficulties, said Arnault.

&quot;We do share the perception that an overly protracted process and a loss of momentum would not be in anybody&#39;s interest,&quot; the envoy said.

The UN mission was embroiled in controversy earlier this month when Colombian media broadcast videos of UN monitors dancing with FARC fighters at a New Year&#39;s Eve party at a camp.

Four monitors were repatriated to their home countries over the incident.

Swedish ambassador Olof Skoog, who holds the council presidency this month, said following closed-door talks on Colombia that &quot;everyone has welcomed the swift action taken by the leadership to rectify the situation.&quot;

(AFP)

Jean Arnault said the main focus now was setting up 26 UN-monitored camps, where the rebels will gather to hand over their weapons

After some delays, Colombia's FARC rebels could begin disarming in the coming weeks and the laying down of weapons under the historic peace deal could be completed by early June, a UN envoy has said. Some 5,700 fighters from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are to lay down their weapons under the agreement signed in November to end more than five decades of conflict in the South American country. Jean Arnault yesterday told the Security Council that the main focus of the peace effort now was setting up 26 UN-monitored camps where the rebels will gather to hand over their weapons. Once the camps are set up, this "will hopefully allow the arms laydown process to begin in the next few weeks," said Arnault, the head of the UN political mission in Colombia. Colombia's government and the rebel leadership are determined "to do everything possible to meet the original goal of the comprehensive laydown of weapons by early June," he added. An amnesty law passed in late December cleared one of the hurdles in the way of disarmament, but Arnault cited logistical problems linked to the large number and remote locations of the camps among other issues. About 350 of the 450 monitors serving in a UN peace mission have been deployed to oversee the laying down of weapons. Construction has begun on one-third of the camps while preparations are ongoing in another third, but the remainder face difficulties, said Arnault. "We do share the perception that an overly protracted process and a loss of momentum would not be in anybody's interest," the envoy said. The UN mission was embroiled in controversy earlier this month when Colombian media broadcast videos of UN monitors dancing with FARC fighters at a New Year's Eve party at a camp. Four monitors were repatriated to their home countries over the incident. Swedish ambassador Olof Skoog, who holds the council presidency this month, said following closed-door talks on Colombia that "everyone has welcomed the swift action taken by the leadership to rectify the situation." (AFP)

Colombia rebels could begin disarming in coming weeks: UN envoy

Colombia&#39;s Senate has approved a revised peace accord between the government and the FARC rebel group, taking a first step toward ratifying an agreement that was rejected by voters.

The text, which was renegotiated after an earlier version was given a thumbs down in the October 2 national referendum, now must be approved by the lower house of the Colombian Congress.

Members of the Centro Democratico, the right-wing party that has led the opposition to a peace deal, walked out of the Senate in protest before Tuesday night&#39;s vote.&nbsp;

The measure then passed by a vote of 75-0.

&quot;Long live peace, long live Colombia,&quot; shouted Senate president Mauricio Lizcano as he closed the session.

The accord seeks to end a 52-year-old armed conflict between the FARC -- Colombia`s largest leftist guerrilla group -- and the state.

Colombian voters, however, wary of a deal that goes easy on rebel leaders, dealt an unexpected blow to the process when they voted against it.&nbsp;

The sides returned to the negotiating table in Havana and produced a new version that President Juan Manuel Santos insists takes into account the opposition`s objections.

Rather than risk rejection in another referendum, Santos, who won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize, decided to submit the revised accord to the Congress for approval.

His chief rival, ex-president Alvaro Uribe, has rejected the modified deal.

Uribe has insisted, for instance, that FARC leaders should not be allowed to run for office while still serving sentences for atrocities.

He demands any new accord be passed by referendum.

The conflict has killed at least 260,000 people and displaced seven million, according to authorities.

(AFP)

It is the first step towards ratification of the renegotiated agreement between the government and the FARC rebel group

Colombia's Senate has approved a revised peace accord between the government and the FARC rebel group, taking a first step toward ratifying an agreement that was rejected by voters. The text, which was renegotiated after an earlier version was given a thumbs down in the October 2 national referendum, now must be approved by the lower house of the Colombian Congress. Members of the Centro Democratico, the right-wing party that has led the opposition to a peace deal, walked out of the Senate in protest before Tuesday night's vote. The measure then passed by a vote of 75-0. "Long live peace, long live Colombia," shouted Senate president Mauricio Lizcano as he closed the session. The accord seeks to end a 52-year-old armed conflict between the FARC -- Colombia`s largest leftist guerrilla group -- and the state. Colombian voters, however, wary of a deal that goes easy on rebel leaders, dealt an unexpected blow to the process when they voted against it. The sides returned to the negotiating table in Havana and produced a new version that President Juan Manuel Santos insists takes into account the opposition`s objections. Rather than risk rejection in another referendum, Santos, who won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize, decided to submit the revised accord to the Congress for approval. His chief rival, ex-president Alvaro Uribe, has rejected the modified deal. Uribe has insisted, for instance, that FARC leaders should not be allowed to run for office while still serving sentences for atrocities. He demands any new accord be passed by referendum. The conflict has killed at least 260,000 people and displaced seven million, according to authorities. (AFP)

Colombia peace accord wins Senate approval

Two Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels had been killed and third surrendered in Colombia&#39;s northern Bolivar province for venturing out of their designated zones with weapons, the Colombian army said.&nbsp;

The confrontation has led to the first violation of the bilateral ceasefire between the government and the Marxist insurgent group implemented in August.

According to the army, the rebels were extorting people some 69 kilometres (42 miles) from their appointed zone and were carrying weapons.&nbsp;

Until&nbsp;the rebels are disarmed, they are not allowed to leave their zones without informing the military of their coordinates.&nbsp;

Colombians had rejected the peace deal to end the 52-year-old conflict in September saying it was soft and allowed the rebels to go scot free despite the number of atrocities they had committed.&nbsp;

ELN strikes

At least 17 police officers were wounded when a bomb exploded in the bus they were travelling on Wednesday in Norte de Santander city.

The anti-riot officers from the ESMAD (Mobile Anti-Riot Squad) recieved minor injuries and are recovering in a local hospital.

&quot;An explosive device exploded as a bus carrying the ESMAD troops passed by, who were en-route to a mission to continue fighting against smuggling in that city. When the artefact exploded it affected 17 of our men, fortunately mildly, with slight shrapnel injuries and leaving some in a daze, all are all out of danger,&quot; said defence minister Luis Carlos Villegas.

Officials suspect the &nbsp;National Liberation Army (ELN) was behind the attack. The second largest insurgent group after FARC.&nbsp;

&quot;We&#39;re acting in the north of Santander with all force against organised crime and against smuggling carried out by the national liberation army (ELN), so it is quite probable that the perpetration of this act against our police is on behalf of the ELN but we will continue to report in detail,&quot; Villegas added.

If the ELN are responsible for the bombing the peace talks will break down, which are set to take place in Ecuador.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

In another attack, 17 policemen were wounded in a suspected attack by the National Liberation Army (ELN)

Two Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels had been killed and third surrendered in Colombia's northern Bolivar province for venturing out of their designated zones with weapons, the Colombian army said. The confrontation has led to the first violation of the bilateral ceasefire between the government and the Marxist insurgent group implemented in August. According to the army, the rebels were extorting people some 69 kilometres (42 miles) from their appointed zone and were carrying weapons. Until the rebels are disarmed, they are not allowed to leave their zones without informing the military of their coordinates. Colombians had rejected the peace deal to end the 52-year-old conflict in September saying it was soft and allowed the rebels to go scot free despite the number of atrocities they had committed. ELN strikes At least 17 police officers were wounded when a bomb exploded in the bus they were travelling on Wednesday in Norte de Santander city. The anti-riot officers from the ESMAD (Mobile Anti-Riot Squad) recieved minor injuries and are recovering in a local hospital. "An explosive device exploded as a bus carrying the ESMAD troops passed by, who were en-route to a mission to continue fighting against smuggling in that city. When the artefact exploded it affected 17 of our men, fortunately mildly, with slight shrapnel injuries and leaving some in a daze, all are all out of danger," said defence minister Luis Carlos Villegas. Officials suspect the National Liberation Army (ELN) was behind the attack. The second largest insurgent group after FARC. "We're acting in the north of Santander with all force against organised crime and against smuggling carried out by the national liberation army (ELN), so it is quite probable that the perpetration of this act against our police is on behalf of the ELN but we will continue to report in detail," Villegas added. If the ELN are responsible for the bombing the peace talks will break down, which are set to take place in Ecuador. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Colombian Army: Two FARC rebels killed in combat, violate ceasefire

Arsenal midfielder Alexis Sanchez has been ruled out of Chile&#39;s World Cup qualifier against Colombia after he suffered a muscle injury, the Chilean Football Federation said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

The federation said in a short statement that the player will remain in Santiago for treatment and is under evaluation for Chile&#39;s match against Uruguay.

Chile, who sit fifth in the 10-team South American qualifying competition for Russia 2018, are scheduled to play Colombia - the team directly above them in the standings - in Barranquilla on Thursday.

Chile have won the last two Copa Americas but have struggled in the World Cup qualifying campaign, winning four of their 10 games on the pitch.&nbsp;

They were awarded a fifth victory when FIFA ruled that opponents Bolivia had fielded an ineligible player during their 0-0 draw last month.

(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The midfielder was ruled out of the qualifier against Colombia and will remain in Santiago to undergo treatment for his muscle injury

Arsenal midfielder Alexis Sanchez has been ruled out of Chile's World Cup qualifier against Colombia after he suffered a muscle injury, the Chilean Football Federation said on Tuesday. The federation said in a short statement that the player will remain in Santiago for treatment and is under evaluation for Chile's match against Uruguay. Chile, who sit fifth in the 10-team South American qualifying competition for Russia 2018, are scheduled to play Colombia - the team directly above them in the standings - in Barranquilla on Thursday. Chile have won the last two Copa Americas but have struggled in the World Cup qualifying campaign, winning four of their 10 games on the pitch. They were awarded a fifth victory when FIFA ruled that opponents Bolivia had fielded an ineligible player during their 0-0 draw last month. (Reuters)

Arsenal's Sanchez out of Chile qualifier with muscle strain

Colombia is delaying peace talks with Marxist ELN rebels until they free a politician held captive for six months, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Thursday, as he struggles to salvage a peace deal with FARC guerrillas that was rejected in a plebiscite.

The National Liberation Army (ELN), the nation&#39;s second-biggest insurgent group, must release Odin Sanchez to the International Committee of the Red Cross before talks can begin in Ecuador, Santos said, reiterating a condition he set months ago.

The opening ceremony had been scheduled to take place in Ecuador&#39;s capital at 6 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT) but it was canceled at the last minute. The government said the talks could still go forward as early as Friday or Saturday if the rebels free Sanchez, however.

The 2,000-strong ELN, considered a terrorist group by the United States and European Union, has kidnapped hundreds of people during its 52-year insurgency to raise war funds and use hostages as bargaining chips with the government.

Santos won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize earlier this month for his efforts to end a conflict with the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a surprising choice given voters narrowly shunned the deal he signed with them.

More than 220,000 people have been killed in Colombia&#39;s long-running armed conflict, which has pitted leftist guerrillas against right-wing paramilitary groups and the security forces.

Founded by radical Catholic priests and inspired by Cuba&#39;s 1959 revolution, the ELN has been in on-and-off closed-door talks with the government since 2014 on how the two sides would conduct negotiations.

The rebels have remained active during that time, kidnapping and bombing oil installations, though in recent months they have released some captives.

The government had previously demanded the release of all ELN captives before formal peace talks could begin and Sanchez is believed to be the group&#39;s last remaining hostage.

The talks with the ELN would likely mirror those held with the FARC. The peace agreement, signed on Sept. 26 with the FARC, was internationally lauded but criticized by many in Colombia for being too lenient on the rebels.

Former President Alvaro Uribe is now leading the effort to change the agreement that would have given the FARC guaranteed congressional seats and immunity from traditional jail sentences. The &quot;no&quot; side won the plebiscite by less than half a percentage point.

Peace with the two groups is unlikely to put a complete end to violence in a country also ravaged by unrest from drug trafficking and other crimes, but it would allow economic development in once off-limits areas and shift more military resources to fight growing criminal gangs.

&nbsp;

(Reuters)

&nbsp;

The government had previously demanded the release of all ELN captives before formal peace talks could begin

Colombia is delaying peace talks with Marxist ELN rebels until they free a politician held captive for six months, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Thursday, as he struggles to salvage a peace deal with FARC guerrillas that was rejected in a plebiscite. The National Liberation Army (ELN), the nation's second-biggest insurgent group, must release Odin Sanchez to the International Committee of the Red Cross before talks can begin in Ecuador, Santos said, reiterating a condition he set months ago. The opening ceremony had been scheduled to take place in Ecuador's capital at 6 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT) but it was canceled at the last minute. The government said the talks could still go forward as early as Friday or Saturday if the rebels free Sanchez, however. The 2,000-strong ELN, considered a terrorist group by the United States and European Union, has kidnapped hundreds of people during its 52-year insurgency to raise war funds and use hostages as bargaining chips with the government. Santos won the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize earlier this month for his efforts to end a conflict with the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a surprising choice given voters narrowly shunned the deal he signed with them. More than 220,000 people have been killed in Colombia's long-running armed conflict, which has pitted leftist guerrillas against right-wing paramilitary groups and the security forces. Founded by radical Catholic priests and inspired by Cuba's 1959 revolution, the ELN has been in on-and-off closed-door talks with the government since 2014 on how the two sides would conduct negotiations. The rebels have remained active during that time, kidnapping and bombing oil installations, though in recent months they have released some captives. The government had previously demanded the release of all ELN captives before formal peace talks could begin and Sanchez is believed to be the group's last remaining hostage. The talks with the ELN would likely mirror those held with the FARC. The peace agreement, signed on Sept. 26 with the FARC, was internationally lauded but criticized by many in Colombia for being too lenient on the rebels. Former President Alvaro Uribe is now leading the effort to change the agreement that would have given the FARC guaranteed congressional seats and immunity from traditional jail sentences. The "no" side won the plebiscite by less than half a percentage point. Peace with the two groups is unlikely to put a complete end to violence in a country also ravaged by unrest from drug trafficking and other crimes, but it would allow economic development in once off-limits areas and shift more military resources to fight growing criminal gangs. (Reuters)

Colombia delays peace talks with ELN rebels until 'last' captive freed

Studies in the past have shown that laziness is related to high intelligence. Colombia has taken it way too seriously, it seems. No, we are not kidding! Colombia really observes a day of laziness every year, which is also considered a national holiday. 
 
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ejS90bQEzgU?list=PLmWa9ZZLlCjt0Jlg7kN3JBNX4LH1sRsGh" width="970"></iframe> &nbsp; 
 
World Day of Laziness, popularly known as Lazy Day, is celebrated every year in Colombia&#39;s Itahui to mark the closing day of the Festival of Industry, Trade and Culture. The aim of celebrating Lazy Day is to promote a healthy and positive use of time. People in Colombia dress up in their pyjamas and bring out their beds to the streets to mark the day. 
 
So, what do you think about it? Too lazy to celebrate? We feel you!

The aim of celebrating Lazy Day is to promote a healthy and positive use of time.

Studies in the past have shown that laziness is related to high intelligence. Colombia has taken it way too seriously, it seems. No, we are not kidding! Colombia really observes a day of laziness every year, which is also considered a national holiday. World Day of Laziness, popularly known as Lazy Day, is celebrated every year in Colombia's Itahui to mark the closing day of the Festival of Industry, Trade and Culture. The aim of celebrating Lazy Day is to promote a healthy and positive use of time. People in Colombia dress up in their pyjamas and bring out their beds to the streets to mark the day. So, what do you think about it? Too lazy to celebrate? We feel you!

Video: The World Day of Laziness

The Colombian government is set to launch peace talks with the country&#39;s second-largest rebel group, the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN), on October 27, the government announced on Monday.&nbsp;

The negotiations will take place in Ecuador&#39;s capital city of Quito with both sides striving to &quot;create an environment favorable to peace&quot;, a joint statement said.&nbsp;

President Juan Manuel Santos said, &quot;We&#39;ve been seeking negotiations with the ELN for almost three years to end the armed conflict with them as well... Now that we&#39;re moving forward with the ELN, we will have total peace.&quot;&nbsp;

However, the Colombian government said talks will not proceed till all hostages are freed by the ELN.&nbsp;

Announcement of negotiations&nbsp;with ELN comes days after the government&#39;s peace deal with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was rejected by the public in a referendum. They felt the deal allowed the rebels to go scot-free for the atrocities they committed.&nbsp;

Santos was awarded a Nobel peace prize for his efforts to end the 52-year conflict between the FARC rebels and the government.&nbsp;

Red Cross&nbsp;said the ELN released a civilian hostage, identified as Nelson Alarcon, before the announcement. Alarcon, who was abducted three months back, is the third hostage to be released by the rebel group in last 14 days.&nbsp;

Talks with the rebel group began parallel to discussions with FARC.&nbsp;

&quot;Soon there will be no more civilians in the guerrillas&#39; hands. That&#39;s the deal,&quot; a source with knowledge of the negotiations told AFP.&nbsp;

In the statement released in Venezuela, ELN pledged to &quot;initiate the process to free hostages before October 27&quot;.

The Colombian authorities claim the insurgent group has one more hostage.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The FARC and ELN&nbsp;have been at war with the state since 1964. The ELN is about one-fourth the size of FARC, with some 1,500 fighters.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The National Liberation Army (ELN) has pledged to release all hostages before October 27, the day when the negotiations begin

The Colombian government is set to launch peace talks with the country's second-largest rebel group, the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN), on October 27, the government announced on Monday. The negotiations will take place in Ecuador's capital city of Quito with both sides striving to "create an environment favorable to peace", a joint statement said. President Juan Manuel Santos said, "We've been seeking negotiations with the ELN for almost three years to end the armed conflict with them as well... Now that we're moving forward with the ELN, we will have total peace." However, the Colombian government said talks will not proceed till all hostages are freed by the ELN. Announcement of negotiations with ELN comes days after the government's peace deal with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was rejected by the public in a referendum. They felt the deal allowed the rebels to go scot-free for the atrocities they committed. Santos was awarded a Nobel peace prize for his efforts to end the 52-year conflict between the FARC rebels and the government. Red Cross said the ELN released a civilian hostage, identified as Nelson Alarcon, before the announcement. Alarcon, who was abducted three months back, is the third hostage to be released by the rebel group in last 14 days. Talks with the rebel group began parallel to discussions with FARC. "Soon there will be no more civilians in the guerrillas' hands. That's the deal," a source with knowledge of the negotiations told AFP. In the statement released in Venezuela, ELN pledged to "initiate the process to free hostages before October 27". The Colombian authorities claim the insurgent group has one more hostage. The FARC and ELN have been at war with the state since 1964. The ELN is about one-fourth the size of FARC, with some 1,500 fighters. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Colombia to launch peace talks with second-largest rebel group

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced on Sunday that he will&nbsp;donate his Nobel Peace Prize money to victims of the conflict that has plagued &nbsp;his country for half a century.

&quot;Last night, I met with my family and we have decided to donate those eight million Swedish krona ($925,000) to the victims,&quot; Santos said after a religious ceremony for those affected by the armed conflict in the northwestern town of Bojaya, AFP reported.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee had on Saturday awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Santos for &quot;his resolute efforts to bring the country&rsquo;s more than 50-year-long civil war to an end&quot;, after he signed a historic peace deal with FARC rebels.

Santos won the award despite the rejection of the accord in a referendum.

The war in Colombia has claimed at least 220,000 lives and displaced close to six million people, the committee had observed.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

 
(WION with inputs from AFP)

Santos announced that he would donate the $925,000 prize money to victims of conflict that roiled the country for more than five decades

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced on Sunday that he will donate his Nobel Peace Prize money to victims of the conflict that has plagued his country for half a century. "Last night, I met with my family and we have decided to donate those eight million Swedish krona ($925,000) to the victims," Santos said after a religious ceremony for those affected by the armed conflict in the northwestern town of Bojaya, AFP reported. The Norwegian Nobel Committee had on Saturday awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to Santos for "his resolute efforts to bring the country’s more than 50-year-long civil war to an end", after he signed a historic peace deal with FARC rebels. Santos won the award despite the rejection of the accord in a referendum. The war in Colombia has claimed at least 220,000 lives and displaced close to six million people, the committee had observed. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Colombian President to donate Nobel prize money to conflict victims

The Norwegian Nobel Committee today announced that Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this year for &quot;his resolute efforts to bring the country&rsquo;s more than 50-year-long civil war to an end&quot;.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The war has cost the lives of at least 220,000 Colombians and displaced close to six million people, the committee observed.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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&quot;The award should also be seen as a tribute to the Colombian people who, despite great hardships and abuses, have not given up hope of a just peace, and to all the parties who have contributed to the peace process. This tribute is paid, not least, to the representatives of the countless victims of the civil war,&quot; the committee said in an official statement.

&nbsp;

The award came despite voters&#39; shock rejection of the terms of a historic deal Santos reached last month with FARC chief Rodrigo Londono, alias Timoleon &quot;Timochenko&quot; Jimenez, after nearly four years of talks, AFP observed.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;The fact that a majority of the voters said `no` to the peace accord does not necessarily mean that the peace process is dead. The referendum was not a vote for or against peace. What the &quot;No&quot; side rejected was not the desire for peace, but a specific peace agreement,&quot; committee chairwoman Kaci Kullmann Five was quoted as saying by AFP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;There is a real danger that the peace process will come to a halt and that civil war will flare up again. This makes it even more important that the parties, headed by President Santos and FARC guerrilla leader Rodrigo Londono, continue to respect the ceasefire,&quot; &nbsp;she said as she announced the award.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;By awarding this year&rsquo;s Peace Prize to President Juan Manuel Santos, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to encourage all those who are striving to achieve peace, reconciliation and justice in Colombia,&quot; the committee further said in an official statement.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Santos accepts the award on behalf of all Colombians&nbsp;

Santos accepted the award on behalf of all Colombians, especially those who have perished in the country&#39;s conflict, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;This morning, very early, my son Martin woke me to tell me the decision that of the committee in Norway to grant me the Nobel Peace Prize. I have infinite gratitude, with all my heart, for this honourable distinction. I don&#39;t receive this in my name, but in the name of all Colombians, especially the millions of victims from this conflict we have been suffering for more than 50 years. Colombians, this is for you. It&#39;s for the victims, so there&#39;s not even one more victim. No one else should die. We should reconcile, come together, to culminate this process and start to contruct a stable and lasting peace,&quot; he said while speaking in Bogota.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The award excluded FARC guerrilla leader Rodrigo Londono, better known by his nom de guerre Timochenko, who signed the peace accord with Santos in Cartagena on September 26.

&nbsp;

Santos has promised to revive the plan even though Colombians narrowly rejected it in a referendum on Sunday. Many voters believed it was too lenient on the FARC guerrillas, according to Reuters.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;The award the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Commission is making to President Juan Manuel Santos is the world&#39;s voice of support for our country. It is the recognition they are making to his leadership, to his persistence, to the victims who participated in the process, representing more than seven million victims who have endured the continent&#39;s longest armed conflict. This gives us strength to continue forward. This award gives us strength,&quot; lead government negotiator Humberto de la Calle was quoted as saying by Reuters.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Colombia&#39;s government and Marxist FARC rebels said on Friday they were willing to listen to proposals to alter their peace accord.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The award came despite rejection of the terms of a historic peace deal Santos reached last month with FARC chief Rodrigo Londono

The Norwegian Nobel Committee today announced that Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this year for "his resolute efforts to bring the country’s more than 50-year-long civil war to an end". The war has cost the lives of at least 220,000 Colombians and displaced close to six million people, the committee observed. × "The award should also be seen as a tribute to the Colombian people who, despite great hardships and abuses, have not given up hope of a just peace, and to all the parties who have contributed to the peace process. This tribute is paid, not least, to the representatives of the countless victims of the civil war," the committee said in an official statement. The award came despite voters' shock rejection of the terms of a historic deal Santos reached last month with FARC chief Rodrigo Londono, alias Timoleon "Timochenko" Jimenez, after nearly four years of talks, AFP observed. "The fact that a majority of the voters said `no` to the peace accord does not necessarily mean that the peace process is dead. The referendum was not a vote for or against peace. What the "No" side rejected was not the desire for peace, but a specific peace agreement," committee chairwoman Kaci Kullmann Five was quoted as saying by AFP. "There is a real danger that the peace process will come to a halt and that civil war will flare up again. This makes it even more important that the parties, headed by President Santos and FARC guerrilla leader Rodrigo Londono, continue to respect the ceasefire," she said as she announced the award. "By awarding this year’s Peace Prize to President Juan Manuel Santos, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to encourage all those who are striving to achieve peace, reconciliation and justice in Colombia," the committee further said in an official statement. Santos accepts the award on behalf of all Colombians Santos accepted the award on behalf of all Colombians, especially those who have perished in the country's conflict, Reuters reported. "This morning, very early, my son Martin woke me to tell me the decision that of the committee in Norway to grant me the Nobel Peace Prize. I have infinite gratitude, with all my heart, for this honourable distinction. I don't receive this in my name, but in the name of all Colombians, especially the millions of victims from this conflict we have been suffering for more than 50 years. Colombians, this is for you. It's for the victims, so there's not even one more victim. No one else should die. We should reconcile, come together, to culminate this process and start to contruct a stable and lasting peace," he said while speaking in Bogota. × The award excluded FARC guerrilla leader Rodrigo Londono, better known by his nom de guerre Timochenko, who signed the peace accord with Santos in Cartagena on September 26. Santos has promised to revive the plan even though Colombians narrowly rejected it in a referendum on Sunday. Many voters believed it was too lenient on the FARC guerrillas, according to Reuters. "The award the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Commission is making to President Juan Manuel Santos is the world's voice of support for our country. It is the recognition they are making to his leadership, to his persistence, to the victims who participated in the process, representing more than seven million victims who have endured the continent's longest armed conflict. This gives us strength to continue forward. This award gives us strength," lead government negotiator Humberto de la Calle was quoted as saying by Reuters. Colombia's government and Marxist FARC rebels said on Friday they were willing to listen to proposals to alter their peace accord. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos wins Nobel Peace Prize for 'resolute' efforts to end civil war

Colombia&#39;s shocking&nbsp;referendum result, with the &quot;No&quot; campaign defying the polls to win, exposed unexpectedly complex divides between rural and urban&nbsp;voters.

After four years of peace talks in Havana, Cuba, Colombians were asked to ratify a peace accord agreed between the government and the Marxist FARC rebels. The 52-year conflict has killed 220,000 people and displaced millions more.&nbsp;

In the lead up to the vote, polls predicted that the peace deal would pass easily, bringing an end to one of the world&#39;s longest-running conflicts.

People in war-scarred rural states were predicted to overwhelmingly back Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos&#39; peace deal.&nbsp;Meanwhile cities further away from the conflict&#39;s violence were believed to be more divided about the referendum.&nbsp;

&quot;Because urban Colombia didn&#39;t live through combat, air strikes... it doesn&#39;t see the need&quot; for making concessions to the leftist rebels, Ariel Avila of Colombia&#39;s Peace and Reconciliation Foundation told AFP. 
&nbsp; 
But predicted levels of support failed to materialise in some areas. In the state of Huila, a region where the FARC movement was born in the 1960s, the &quot;No&quot; campaign triumphed with a 60.77 per cent&nbsp;vote share.&nbsp;

And in many urban areas, support for &quot;No&quot; was just as strong. In the state of Antioquia, home to one of Colombia&#39;s largest cities Medellin, the &quot;Yes&quot; vote only garnered 37.99 per cent.&nbsp;

Experts say these unexpected results, combined with the outcome in predicted strongholds, gave &quot;No&quot; its narrow victory by less than half a percent.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As these&nbsp;results emerged, anti-peace deal campaigner and former president Alvaro Uribe tweeted a statement: &quot;It is fundamental that we don&#39;t put values like liberty, institutional justice and pluralism at risk in the name of peace.&quot;&nbsp;

Addressing the nation, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said: &quot;With the will for peace from all parties, I am sure, sure, that we will be able to soon arrive at satisfactory solutions for everyone. As such, the country will come out of this ahead, and the process will be strengthened.&#39;&#39;&nbsp;

The FARC also reiterated their commitment to continuing peace talks, saying in a statement that it would &quot;remain faithful&quot; to the peace accord signed last week.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As the Colombian government and the FARC scramble back to their negotiating tables, justice will be at the top of the agenda.&nbsp;

Many voters felt let down by the terms of the original deal, which would have allowed FARC rebels to escape jail sentences and transition into a political party.&nbsp;

The result also throws the political future of Colombian leader Juan Manuel Santos into doubt. As polls before the vote indicated an easy win for the &quot;Yes&quot; camp, Santos was strongly linked to this year&#39;s Nobel Peace Prize.&nbsp;

But he now faces a struggle to reestablish his political credibility, with his reputation so closely intertwined with the peace process.&nbsp;

Meanwhile Alvaro Uribe, a key voice for the &#39;&#39;No&#39;&#39; campaign, finds his stock on the rise. The former president will now be looking to build on this blow to his opponent&#39;s plans.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

As Colombians come to terms with this surprise result, question marks hover over the country&#39;s very ability to forgive and forget.&nbsp;

Five decades of bloodshed have left deep scars in the country&#39;s national conscience, which, again,&nbsp;has seen&nbsp;over 220,000 people killed and&nbsp;millions more displaced.&nbsp;

After 52 years of war and with no sign of a final peace deal on the horizon, those same scars now run a little deeper.&nbsp;

(WION)

The shocking 'No' vote to the peace deal, which would have ended a 52-year-old guerilla conflict, exposes deep scars and divided minds

Colombia's shocking referendum result, with the "No" campaign defying the polls to win, exposed unexpectedly complex divides between rural and urban voters. After four years of peace talks in Havana, Cuba, Colombians were asked to ratify a peace accord agreed between the government and the Marxist FARC rebels. The 52-year conflict has killed 220,000 people and displaced millions more. In the lead up to the vote, polls predicted that the peace deal would pass easily, bringing an end to one of the world's longest-running conflicts. People in war-scarred rural states were predicted to overwhelmingly back Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos' peace deal. Meanwhile cities further away from the conflict's violence were believed to be more divided about the referendum. "Because urban Colombia didn't live through combat, air strikes... it doesn't see the need" for making concessions to the leftist rebels, Ariel Avila of Colombia's Peace and Reconciliation Foundation told AFP. But predicted levels of support failed to materialise in some areas. In the state of Huila, a region where the FARC movement was born in the 1960s, the "No" campaign triumphed with a 60.77 per cent vote share. And in many urban areas, support for "No" was just as strong. In the state of Antioquia, home to one of Colombia's largest cities Medellin, the "Yes" vote only garnered 37.99 per cent. Experts say these unexpected results, combined with the outcome in predicted strongholds, gave "No" its narrow victory by less than half a percent. As these results emerged, anti-peace deal campaigner and former president Alvaro Uribe tweeted a statement: "It is fundamental that we don't put values like liberty, institutional justice and pluralism at risk in the name of peace." Addressing the nation, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said: "With the will for peace from all parties, I am sure, sure, that we will be able to soon arrive at satisfactory solutions for everyone. As such, the country will come out of this ahead, and the process will be strengthened.'' The FARC also reiterated their commitment to continuing peace talks, saying in a statement that it would "remain faithful" to the peace accord signed last week. As the Colombian government and the FARC scramble back to their negotiating tables, justice will be at the top of the agenda. Many voters felt let down by the terms of the original deal, which would have allowed FARC rebels to escape jail sentences and transition into a political party. The result also throws the political future of Colombian leader Juan Manuel Santos into doubt. As polls before the vote indicated an easy win for the "Yes" camp, Santos was strongly linked to this year's Nobel Peace Prize. But he now faces a struggle to reestablish his political credibility, with his reputation so closely intertwined with the peace process. Meanwhile Alvaro Uribe, a key voice for the ''No'' campaign, finds his stock on the rise. The former president will now be looking to build on this blow to his opponent's plans. As Colombians come to terms with this surprise result, question marks hover over the country's very ability to forgive and forget. Five decades of bloodshed have left deep scars in the country's national conscience, which, again, has seen over 220,000 people killed and millions more displaced. After 52 years of war and with no sign of a final peace deal on the horizon, those same scars now run a little deeper. (WION)

In Colombia, peace is elusive

&nbsp;

The areas hardest hit by Colombia&#39;s half-century conflict were deeply divided over a peace deal between the FARC rebels and the government rejected by voters in a shock referendum defeat.

The deal, which failed on Sunday when Colombians narrowly voted against it, broadly split the country between those who have experienced the war first-hand and those who have mainly watched it on the news, experts said.

&quot;The rural world, which has lived through the conflict, bet on peace. The urban world said &#39;No,&#39;&quot; said Ariel Avila of Colombia&#39;s Peace and Reconciliation Foundation.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

&quot;Because urban Colombia didn&#39;t live through combat, air strikes... it doesn&#39;t see the need&quot; for making concessions to the leftist rebels, he told AFP.

But even areas that endured the war were deeply split over the deal, the product of nearly four years of arduous negotiations between President Juan Manuel Santos&#39;s government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

&quot;We&#39;re polarised in many ways. Even victims of the conflict are polarised,&quot; said political analyst Juan David Cardenas of La Sabana University in Bogota.

Opponents of the deal attacked it for being too soft on the FARC, a Marxist guerrilla group launched in 1964.

The prospect of light sentences with no jail time and the FARC&#39;s relaunch as a political party did not sit well with Colombians who associate the group with civilian massacres, hostage seizures and sowing terror in the countryside.

The promise of reparations for victims and a special system of courts to try crimes committed during the conflict failed to sway many of the millions of Colombians bereaved, maimed or uprooted by a war that has killed 260,000 people.

&nbsp;Underground opposition&nbsp;

 
It was no surprise the &quot;No&quot; vote won in conservative areas such as the central coffee-growing region or the northwestern department of Antioquia, the stronghold of former president Alvaro Uribe -- the deal&#39;s chief opponent.

But Santos, who has staked his legacy on the peace process, and FARC leader Timoleon &quot;Timochenko&quot; Jimenez, who guided the guerrillas toward a negotiated exit, got a rude upset in other regions where they expected strong support.

In Marquetalia -- the central region where the FARC was launched in the aftermath of a peasant uprising crushed by the army -- the &quot;No&quot; camp took 63 percent of the vote.

And rejection of the deal was &quot;overwhelming&quot; in some areas the FARC has traditionally controlled, such as Norte de Santander and Arauca on the Venezuelan border, said Cardenas.

&quot;There was a hidden, underground mindset among people who refused to say openly that they would vote &#39;No.&#39; They never supported amnesty, political participation,&quot; he told AFP.

&nbsp;Unexpected results&nbsp;

 
Still, the electoral map featured some unexpected paradoxes.

For example, in the northwestern town of Bojaya -- the scene of a FARC massacre that killed 79 people in 2002 -- almost 96 percent of voters cast &quot;Yes&quot; ballots.

Every municipality in the western department of Cauca, one of the conflict&#39;s main battlegrounds because of its lucrative cocaine trade, voted &quot;Yes.&quot;

And in Mitu, a southern city seized by 1,500 rebels in 1998, more than 75 percent of people voted in favor of the deal.

Eimer Sandino, a 29-year-old driver from San Vicente del Caguan, a southern region that has traditionally had a strong FARC presence, said opposition to the deal was rigid in his area.

&quot;You want Colombia to be different, for your children&#39;s future. But it&#39;s difficult to kick-start people&#39;s thinking. The war has affected lots of families,&quot; he said.

But in the end, the area voted nearly 63 percent in favor of the deal -- well above the nationwide figure of 49.78 percent.

&quot;I have lived through the shipwreck of war, and I am for peace,&quot; said Naime Cometa, a 58-year-old merchant, explaining her vote.

&quot;Here in these remote areas, the guerrillas were the law.&quot;

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Rural Colombians who bore the brunt of the 52-year war voted for peace, it was the urbanites who said 'no'

The areas hardest hit by Colombia's half-century conflict were deeply divided over a peace deal between the FARC rebels and the government rejected by voters in a shock referendum defeat. The deal, which failed on Sunday when Colombians narrowly voted against it, broadly split the country between those who have experienced the war first-hand and those who have mainly watched it on the news, experts said. "The rural world, which has lived through the conflict, bet on peace. The urban world said 'No,'" said Ariel Avila of Colombia's Peace and Reconciliation Foundation. The referendum, experts said, broadly split the country between those who have experienced the war first-hand and those who have mainly watched it on the news × "Because urban Colombia didn't live through combat, air strikes... it doesn't see the need" for making concessions to the leftist rebels, he told AFP. But even areas that endured the war were deeply split over the deal, the product of nearly four years of arduous negotiations between President Juan Manuel Santos's government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). "We're polarised in many ways. Even victims of the conflict are polarised," said political analyst Juan David Cardenas of La Sabana University in Bogota. Opponents of the deal attacked it for being too soft on the FARC, a Marxist guerrilla group launched in 1964. The prospect of light sentences with no jail time and the FARC's relaunch as a political party did not sit well with Colombians who associate the group with civilian massacres, hostage seizures and sowing terror in the countryside. The promise of reparations for victims and a special system of courts to try crimes committed during the conflict failed to sway many of the millions of Colombians bereaved, maimed or uprooted by a war that has killed 260,000 people. Underground opposition It was no surprise the "No" vote won in conservative areas such as the central coffee-growing region or the northwestern department of Antioquia, the stronghold of former president Alvaro Uribe -- the deal's chief opponent. But Santos, who has staked his legacy on the peace process, and FARC leader Timoleon "Timochenko" Jimenez, who guided the guerrillas toward a negotiated exit, got a rude upset in other regions where they expected strong support. In Marquetalia -- the central region where the FARC was launched in the aftermath of a peasant uprising crushed by the army -- the "No" camp took 63 percent of the vote. And rejection of the deal was "overwhelming" in some areas the FARC has traditionally controlled, such as Norte de Santander and Arauca on the Venezuelan border, said Cardenas. "There was a hidden, underground mindset among people who refused to say openly that they would vote 'No.' They never supported amnesty, political participation," he told AFP. Unexpected results Still, the electoral map featured some unexpected paradoxes. For example, in the northwestern town of Bojaya -- the scene of a FARC massacre that killed 79 people in 2002 -- almost 96 percent of voters cast "Yes" ballots. Every municipality in the western department of Cauca, one of the conflict's main battlegrounds because of its lucrative cocaine trade, voted "Yes." And in Mitu, a southern city seized by 1,500 rebels in 1998, more than 75 percent of people voted in favor of the deal. Eimer Sandino, a 29-year-old driver from San Vicente del Caguan, a southern region that has traditionally had a strong FARC presence, said opposition to the deal was rigid in his area. "You want Colombia to be different, for your children's future. But it's difficult to kick-start people's thinking. The war has affected lots of families," he said. But in the end, the area voted nearly 63 percent in favor of the deal -- well above the nationwide figure of 49.78 percent. "I have lived through the shipwreck of war, and I am for peace," said Naime Cometa, a 58-year-old merchant, explaining her vote. "Here in these remote areas, the guerrillas were the law." (AFP)

Colombia: Those who lived war wanted peace and vice versa

&nbsp;

Colombians on Sunday voted &quot;no&quot; to the peace deal between the government and the FARC insurgent group.&nbsp;

President Juan Manuel Santos, who has led the effort&nbsp;to end the 51-year&nbsp;conflict,&nbsp;said he would&nbsp;continue working for peace despite the vote.&nbsp;

&quot;The majority has said &#39;No,&#39; but &quot;I will not give in, and I will continue to seek peace to the last day of my term,&quot; he said after the vote.&nbsp;

Electoral officials said the &quot;no&#39;&#39; voters won by a half percentage point with 57,000 votes.

Despite the disappointing outcome, FARC says it will continue with peace efforts.&nbsp;

FARC chief Rodrigo Londono said, &quot;The FARC deeply deplores that the destructive power of those who sow hate has influenced opinion.&quot;

The chief also stressed on dialogue and said it was the &quot;only weapon for building the future,&quot; AFP reported.&nbsp;

Before the referendum, polls conducted by Datexco and Ipsos Napoleon Franco had indicated that the &quot;yes&quot; voters would win.&nbsp;

Colombians have not forgiven the atrocities -- kidnappings,&nbsp;threat&nbsp;to life, and an illegal trade --&nbsp;committed by the rebels,&nbsp;said Reuters.&nbsp;

The conflict left 260,000 dead and around seven million displaced.&nbsp;

Jose Gomez, 70, who voted &quot;no&quot; said &quot;It is absurd to reward those criminals, drug traffickers and killers who have made the country a disaster for the past 50 years.&quot;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The 'no' voters won by a half percentage point; President Santos said he would continue to work to end the 51-year?conflict

Colombians on Sunday voted "no" to the peace deal between the government and the FARC insurgent group. President Juan Manuel Santos, who has led the effort to end the 51-year conflict, said he would continue working for peace despite the vote. "The majority has said 'No,' but "I will not give in, and I will continue to seek peace to the last day of my term," he said after the vote. Electoral officials said the "no'' voters won by a half percentage point with 57,000 votes. Despite the disappointing outcome, FARC says it will continue with peace efforts. FARC chief Rodrigo Londono said, "The FARC deeply deplores that the destructive power of those who sow hate has influenced opinion." The chief also stressed on dialogue and said it was the "only weapon for building the future," AFP reported. Before the referendum, polls conducted by Datexco and Ipsos Napoleon Franco had indicated that the "yes" voters would win. Colombians have not forgiven the atrocities -- kidnappings, threat to life, and an illegal trade -- committed by the rebels, said Reuters. The conflict left 260,000 dead and around seven million displaced. Jose Gomez, 70, who voted "no" said "It is absurd to reward those criminals, drug traffickers and killers who have made the country a disaster for the past 50 years." (WION with inputs from agencies)

Colombians stun govt, say no to peace deal with FARC rebels

The European Union has decided to &quot;suspend&quot; Colombia&#39;s FARC rebel group from its terror group list, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini announced on Monday. 
 
In a statement, Mogherini said the EU would &quot;suspend FARC from its list of terrorist organisations. This decision will take effect upon the signature of the Peace Agreement.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
The Colombian government and the leftist FARC rebels were scheduled to sign their historic peace agreement at 2200 GMT Monday in a ceremony in the colonial city of Cartagena. 
 
The suspension will allow the temporary lifting of sanctions against FARC, including the freezing of its assets. FARC was added to the EU terror list in 2002.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We are ready to continue our support, focusing on the implementation of the agreement,&quot; Mogherini said, adding that the EU was also ready to activate a 600-million-euro package to support the peace deal.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Today peace is in the hands of the Colombian people,&quot; she said.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;An endorsement of the agreement would send positive shockwaves through the continent and the entire world. It would send a message of reconciliation. It would send the powerful message that all conflicts can come to an end.&quot; 
 
Earlier, a diplomatic source said the sanctions would be suspended for an initial period of six months, after which they would be reviewed. 
 
On Sunday, the EU&#39;s Colombia envoy Ana Paula Zacarias said the guerrilla group could be definitively removed from the blacklist after a six-month review process in which the bloc could have &quot;political dialogue with guerrilla members&quot;. 
 
FARC, a Marxist guerrilla group, launched its war on the Colombian government in 1964. 
 
(AFP)

The suspension will allow the temporary lifting of sanctions linked to FARC's presence on the list, including the freezing of its assets

The European Union has decided to "suspend" Colombia's FARC rebel group from its terror group list, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini announced on Monday. In a statement, Mogherini said the EU would "suspend FARC from its list of terrorist organisations. This decision will take effect upon the signature of the Peace Agreement." The Colombian government and the leftist FARC rebels were scheduled to sign their historic peace agreement at 2200 GMT Monday in a ceremony in the colonial city of Cartagena. The suspension will allow the temporary lifting of sanctions against FARC, including the freezing of its assets. FARC was added to the EU terror list in 2002. "We are ready to continue our support, focusing on the implementation of the agreement," Mogherini said, adding that the EU was also ready to activate a 600-million-euro package to support the peace deal. "Today peace is in the hands of the Colombian people," she said. "An endorsement of the agreement would send positive shockwaves through the continent and the entire world. It would send a message of reconciliation. It would send the powerful message that all conflicts can come to an end." Earlier, a diplomatic source said the sanctions would be suspended for an initial period of six months, after which they would be reviewed. On Sunday, the EU's Colombia envoy Ana Paula Zacarias said the guerrilla group could be definitively removed from the blacklist after a six-month review process in which the bloc could have "political dialogue with guerrilla members". FARC, a Marxist guerrilla group, launched its war on the Colombian government in 1964. (AFP)

EU to 'suspend' Colombia's FARC from terror list: Foreign policy chief

Colombia&#39;s second-largest rebel force, the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN), will hold its fire as Colombians hold a referendum on a peace deal with the larger, Marxist FARC.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We are prepared to stop ELN offensive actions during this time (ahead of) the referendum&quot; to make participation on October 2 easier for voters, Commander Pablo Beltran said Sunday on the official radio of the smaller force. 
 
The government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) concluded a final peace accord on August 24 to end a 52-year war. 
 
The conflict, which has drawn in various left- and right-wing rebel groups as well as criminal gangs over the decades, has killed 260,000 people and left 45,000 missing. 
 
After nearly four years of peace talks, the Colombian people will have the final say when they vote on the question: &quot;Do you support the final accord to end the conflict and build a stable and lasting peace?&quot; 
 
For the deal to be ratified, the &quot;Yes&quot; camp must win and also gather at least 4.4 million votes -- 13 per cent of the electorate. 
 
If the deal passes, the FARC -- the country&#39;s largest rebel group -- have pledged to disarm and convert themselves into a political party. 
 
The government has yet to begin planned peace talks with the Cuban-inspired ELN. 
 
President Juan Manuel Santos has said talks with the ELN will not start until it stops kidnappings. 
 
(AFP)

'We are prepared to stop ELN offensive actions during this time (ahead of) the referendum,' Commander Pablo Beltran said on Sunday

Colombia's second-largest rebel force, the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN), will hold its fire as Colombians hold a referendum on a peace deal with the larger, Marxist FARC. "We are prepared to stop ELN offensive actions during this time (ahead of) the referendum" to make participation on October 2 easier for voters, Commander Pablo Beltran said Sunday on the official radio of the smaller force. The government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) concluded a final peace accord on August 24 to end a 52-year war. The conflict, which has drawn in various left- and right-wing rebel groups as well as criminal gangs over the decades, has killed 260,000 people and left 45,000 missing. After nearly four years of peace talks, the Colombian people will have the final say when they vote on the question: "Do you support the final accord to end the conflict and build a stable and lasting peace?" For the deal to be ratified, the "Yes" camp must win and also gather at least 4.4 million votes -- 13 per cent of the electorate. If the deal passes, the FARC -- the country's largest rebel group -- have pledged to disarm and convert themselves into a political party. The government has yet to begin planned peace talks with the Cuban-inspired ELN. President Juan Manuel Santos has said talks with the ELN will not start until it stops kidnappings. (AFP)

Colombia's other rebels to hold fire during peace vote

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the leader of the FARC rebels, Timoleon &quot;Timochenko&quot; Jimenez, are due to sign a historic peace deal on Monday to end a five-decade war. 
 
The former enemies will sign the accord at 5:00 pm (2200 GMT) in a ceremony in the colourful colonial city of Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast, the government said. 
 
Santos will open the day&#39;s events with a tribute to the Colombian military and police at 8:00 am, followed by a prayer for peace and reconciliation at an 18th-century Catholic church in Cartagena&#39;s old town. 
 
The guests will include UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, US Secretary of State John Kerry and a cortege of Latin American leaders -- notably Cuban President Raul Castro, whose country hosted the nearly four-year-long peace talks that produced a final deal on August 24. 
 
The 2,500 expected attendees have been invited to wear white. 
 
The FARC, a Marxist guerrilla group, launched its war on the Colombian government in 1964, in the aftermath of a peasant uprising that was brutally put down by the army. 
 
Over the decades, the conflict has drawn in several leftist rebel groups, right-wing paramilitaries and drug gangs, killing 260,000 people, leaving 45,000 missing and uprooting 6.9 million. 
 
Such guerrilla armies were common across Latin America in the latter half of the 20th century. But now, 25 years after the Cold War, Colombia&#39;s is the last major armed conflict in the Americas. 
 
FARC delegates unanimously ratified the deal on Friday at a national conference in their traditional stronghold in southeastern Colombia. 
 
&quot;The war is over,&quot; declared their chief peace negotiator, Ivan Marquez, to a burst of applause and cheers. 
 
Under the deal, the FARC is now to relaunch as a political party. 
 
Timochenko, 57, whose real name is Rodrigo Londono, is expected to remain its leader. 
 
Last step: referendum 
 
The rebels came to the negotiating table after being weakened by a major army offensive led by then-defense minister Santos, who served in the post from 2006 to 2009 before becoming president. 
 
After an army raid killed the previous FARC leader, Alfonso Cano, in 2011, Timochenko wrote to Santos proposing fresh peace talks -- the fourth such effort, following failed attempts in 1984, 1991 and 1999. 
 
The new talks opened in Cuba in November 2012. 
 
After years of halting progress, delegates concluded a final, 297-page accord last month. 
 
It covers justice and reparations for victims of the conflict; land reform; the FARC&#39;s relaunch as a political party; disarmament; fighting the drug trafficking that has fueled the violence in the world&#39;s largest cocaine-producing country; and implementing and monitoring the accord. 
 
It grants an amnesty for &quot;political crimes&quot; committed during the conflict. But it will not cover the worst atrocities, such as massacres, torture and rape. 
 
Those responsible for such crimes will face up to 20 years in prison, with lighter sentences if they confess. 
 
The FARC&#39;s estimated 7,500 fighters are to leave their mountain and jungle hideouts and disarm in a UN-supervised process. 
 
The government has not yet opened peace talks with a smaller guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN). 
 
Monday&#39;s signing ceremony is the second-to-last step in ratifying the peace deal. 
 
Colombians will vote on it in a referendum on October 2. 
 
Recent polls show the &quot;Yes&quot; camp in the lead. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, US secretary of state John Kerry and a cortege of Latin American leaders will attend

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the leader of the FARC rebels, Timoleon "Timochenko" Jimenez, are due to sign a historic peace deal on Monday to end a five-decade war. The former enemies will sign the accord at 5:00 pm (2200 GMT) in a ceremony in the colourful colonial city of Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast, the government said. Santos will open the day's events with a tribute to the Colombian military and police at 8:00 am, followed by a prayer for peace and reconciliation at an 18th-century Catholic church in Cartagena's old town. The guests will include UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, US Secretary of State John Kerry and a cortege of Latin American leaders -- notably Cuban President Raul Castro, whose country hosted the nearly four-year-long peace talks that produced a final deal on August 24. The 2,500 expected attendees have been invited to wear white. The FARC, a Marxist guerrilla group, launched its war on the Colombian government in 1964, in the aftermath of a peasant uprising that was brutally put down by the army. Over the decades, the conflict has drawn in several leftist rebel groups, right-wing paramilitaries and drug gangs, killing 260,000 people, leaving 45,000 missing and uprooting 6.9 million. Such guerrilla armies were common across Latin America in the latter half of the 20th century. But now, 25 years after the Cold War, Colombia's is the last major armed conflict in the Americas. FARC delegates unanimously ratified the deal on Friday at a national conference in their traditional stronghold in southeastern Colombia. "The war is over," declared their chief peace negotiator, Ivan Marquez, to a burst of applause and cheers. Under the deal, the FARC is now to relaunch as a political party. Timochenko, 57, whose real name is Rodrigo Londono, is expected to remain its leader. Last step: referendum The rebels came to the negotiating table after being weakened by a major army offensive led by then-defense minister Santos, who served in the post from 2006 to 2009 before becoming president. After an army raid killed the previous FARC leader, Alfonso Cano, in 2011, Timochenko wrote to Santos proposing fresh peace talks -- the fourth such effort, following failed attempts in 1984, 1991 and 1999. The new talks opened in Cuba in November 2012. After years of halting progress, delegates concluded a final, 297-page accord last month. It covers justice and reparations for victims of the conflict; land reform; the FARC's relaunch as a political party; disarmament; fighting the drug trafficking that has fueled the violence in the world's largest cocaine-producing country; and implementing and monitoring the accord. It grants an amnesty for "political crimes" committed during the conflict. But it will not cover the worst atrocities, such as massacres, torture and rape. Those responsible for such crimes will face up to 20 years in prison, with lighter sentences if they confess. The FARC's estimated 7,500 fighters are to leave their mountain and jungle hideouts and disarm in a UN-supervised process. The government has not yet opened peace talks with a smaller guerrilla group, the National Liberation Army (ELN). Monday's signing ceremony is the second-to-last step in ratifying the peace deal. Colombians will vote on it in a referendum on October 2. Recent polls show the "Yes" camp in the lead. (AFP)

Colombia to sign historic peace deal with FARC rebels today

In a historic decision, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on Friday voted unanimously for a peace deal with the Colombian government, ending five decades of war.&nbsp; 
 
Their chief peace negotiator announced the peace accord was finalised after four years negotiations in Havana.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The war is over, long live Colombia, long live peace,&quot; FARC commander Ivan Marquez told reporters following a secret vote at the close of a guerrilla congress on the southern Yari Plains. 
 
&quot;The guerrillas... have given their unanimous backing to the final accord,&quot; he said 
 
The five-point peace accord covers agricultural reform, an end to the illegal drugs trade, victims&#39; reparations, FARC political participation and demobilisation. 
 
Under the agreement, the FARC will continue to push for social change as a political party. It received 10 unelected seats in Congress until 2026.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We inform the country and the government and the governments and people of the world that the rebel delegates of the congress have given unanimous backing to the final accord,&quot; Marquez said. 
 
The leadership are expected to announce their policy details soon as it morphs into a party rooted in Marxist ideals.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Our initial platform is the implementation of the Havana accords,&quot; Pastor Alape, a member of the FARC&#39;s secretariat, told Reuters at the congress. &quot;Our political proposals will have to come from the suggestions of our base.&quot; 
 
&quot;We started our political efforts clandestinely and now we aspire, legally, to open our initiatives, together with all sectors of society, to concretely cultivate the political space we are given,&quot; Alape said. 
 
Some from the group have expressed the intent to decentralise Colombia&#39;s government, including halving the size of Congress, in a bid to combat corruption and ensure communities have control over the&nbsp;distribution of royalties from oil and mining projects. 
 
The peace accord is due to be signed on Monday by President Juan Manuel Santos and rebel leader Timochenko.&nbsp; 
 
It is then up to the Colombians who will vote on the deal in an October 2 plebiscite, the final go-ahead for rebels to demobilise. 
 
Polls suggest the peace deal will get widespread support from the citizens.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

In its final meeting the rebel group, Colombia's FARC voted for a peace accord as it prepares to transition into a new political party

In a historic decision, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on Friday voted unanimously for a peace deal with the Colombian government, ending five decades of war. Their chief peace negotiator announced the peace accord was finalised after four years negotiations in Havana. "The war is over, long live Colombia, long live peace," FARC commander Ivan Marquez told reporters following a secret vote at the close of a guerrilla congress on the southern Yari Plains. "The guerrillas... have given their unanimous backing to the final accord," he said The five-point peace accord covers agricultural reform, an end to the illegal drugs trade, victims' reparations, FARC political participation and demobilisation. Under the agreement, the FARC will continue to push for social change as a political party. It received 10 unelected seats in Congress until 2026. "We inform the country and the government and the governments and people of the world that the rebel delegates of the congress have given unanimous backing to the final accord," Marquez said. The leadership are expected to announce their policy details soon as it morphs into a party rooted in Marxist ideals. "Our initial platform is the implementation of the Havana accords," Pastor Alape, a member of the FARC's secretariat, told Reuters at the congress. "Our political proposals will have to come from the suggestions of our base." "We started our political efforts clandestinely and now we aspire, legally, to open our initiatives, together with all sectors of society, to concretely cultivate the political space we are given," Alape said. Some from the group have expressed the intent to decentralise Colombia's government, including halving the size of Congress, in a bid to combat corruption and ensure communities have control over the distribution of royalties from oil and mining projects. The peace accord is due to be signed on Monday by President Juan Manuel Santos and rebel leader Timochenko. It is then up to the Colombians who will vote on the deal in an October 2 plebiscite, the final go-ahead for rebels to demobilise. Polls suggest the peace deal will get widespread support from the citizens. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Colombia's FARC rebels ratify peace accord to end decades-old war

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has accepted the state&#39;s role in the killing of thousands of members of a leftist political party three decades ago.&nbsp; 
 
His statement comes two weeks before the signing of a historic&nbsp;peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), whose members were killed after another peace agreement in the mid-1980s when they formed the Patriotic Union (UP) political party. 
 
Around 5,000 members and supporters of the Patriotic Union Party were killed by right-wing paramilitary groups, often working with state backing. 
 
&quot;That tragedy should never have happened, and we must recognise that the government didn&#39;t take sufficient measures to impede and prevent the assassinations, attacks and other violations even though there was evidence the persecution was taking place,&quot; Santos said during an event where 200 survivors and family members of UP victims were present. 
 
The government has also promised to guarantee FARC rebels&nbsp;safety after they give in their arms. 
 
The group has plans to launch a political party and run for office.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I make the solemn commitment before you today to take all the necessary measures and to give all the guarantees to make sure that never again in Colombia will a political organization have to face what the UP suffered,&quot; Santos said.&nbsp; 
 
Earlier this week, he FARC also apologized for kidnapping thousands of people to fund its half century of conflict with the government. 
 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Around 5,000 members and supporters of the Patriotic Union Party were killed by right-wing paramilitary groups in mid-1980s

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has accepted the state's role in the killing of thousands of members of a leftist political party three decades ago. His statement comes two weeks before the signing of a historic peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), whose members were killed after another peace agreement in the mid-1980s when they formed the Patriotic Union (UP) political party. Around 5,000 members and supporters of the Patriotic Union Party were killed by right-wing paramilitary groups, often working with state backing. "That tragedy should never have happened, and we must recognise that the government didn't take sufficient measures to impede and prevent the assassinations, attacks and other violations even though there was evidence the persecution was taking place," Santos said during an event where 200 survivors and family members of UP victims were present. The government has also promised to guarantee FARC rebels safety after they give in their arms. The group has plans to launch a political party and run for office. "I make the solemn commitment before you today to take all the necessary measures and to give all the guarantees to make sure that never again in Colombia will a political organization have to face what the UP suffered," Santos said. Earlier this week, he FARC also apologized for kidnapping thousands of people to fund its half century of conflict with the government. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Colombian President accepts state's role in 1980 killings of leftist politicians

Few athletes, not even Usain Bolt, have filled out Olympic stadiums over the past fortnight but pocket-rocket Mariana Pajon did just that on Friday as hordes of Colombians roared her to a second successive BMX gold. 
 
On a humpy ribbon of green and red cement at Rio&#39;s X Park and with a sea of yellow-shirted compatriots providing a backdrop, she delivered a masterclass to match her London feat. 
 
The 24-year-old, revelling in the south-American sunshine, appeared to be riding an easier course to her medal rivals - flowing over the jumps with graceful precision while others pedalled frantically to stay on her tail. 
 
Alise Post of the United States and Venezuela&#39;s Stefany Hernandez followed her home but Pajon was in a league of her own. 
Pajon, a national treasure in Colombia where the local track in Medellin is named after her, celebrated by lifting her bike above her head and beaming her smile. 
 
Despite standing just 1.58m and weighing 50 kilos, Pajon has proved herself a tough cookie, staying at the top of a sport where the all too regular crashes make you wince. 
 
Asked what fuels her, Pajon&#39;s answer was at faultless as her riding on Friday when she won all three of her semi-final runs with ease on the way to the eight-rider medal showdown. 
 
&quot;Sacrifice and hard work,&quot; she said told a news conference gate-crashed by a gaggle of fans in replica black Mariana Pajon tops with her race number, 100, emblazoned on the back. 
 
&quot;And smiles. I think smiling and happiness is the best doping you can have.&quot; 
 
Pajon&#39;s London win has spawned BMX circuits across Colombia`s cities where youngsters are now as keen to emulate Pajon as soccer stars like James Rodriguez. 
 
David Rodriguez, who travelled from Bogota with his mother to watch Pajon go for gold, summed up the mood as he joined in the salsa party shaking the temporary tribunes. 
 
&quot;This is an amazing moment for me, I was in London 2012 and that was great and now again!&quot; he said. &quot;She`s an amazing girl. She has so much courage. She is a winner! 
 
&quot;It&#39;s perfect today.&quot; 
 
Pajon, world champion this year as she was in 2011 and 2014, became only the second Colombian ever to win an Olympic gold medal in London. She said a repeat was even sweeter. 
 
&quot;The first medal was incredible, but the second medal was more emotional,&quot; she told reporters. 
 
&quot;Because it was in Brazil. This feel like a medal for all south Americans. I&#39;m so proud.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

Alise Post of the United States and Venezuela's Stefany Hernandez followed Pajon

Few athletes, not even Usain Bolt, have filled out Olympic stadiums over the past fortnight but pocket-rocket Mariana Pajon did just that on Friday as hordes of Colombians roared her to a second successive BMX gold. On a humpy ribbon of green and red cement at Rio's X Park and with a sea of yellow-shirted compatriots providing a backdrop, she delivered a masterclass to match her London feat. The 24-year-old, revelling in the south-American sunshine, appeared to be riding an easier course to her medal rivals - flowing over the jumps with graceful precision while others pedalled frantically to stay on her tail. Alise Post of the United States and Venezuela's Stefany Hernandez followed her home but Pajon was in a league of her own. Pajon, a national treasure in Colombia where the local track in Medellin is named after her, celebrated by lifting her bike above her head and beaming her smile. Despite standing just 1.58m and weighing 50 kilos, Pajon has proved herself a tough cookie, staying at the top of a sport where the all too regular crashes make you wince. Asked what fuels her, Pajon's answer was at faultless as her riding on Friday when she won all three of her semi-final runs with ease on the way to the eight-rider medal showdown. "Sacrifice and hard work," she said told a news conference gate-crashed by a gaggle of fans in replica black Mariana Pajon tops with her race number, 100, emblazoned on the back. "And smiles. I think smiling and happiness is the best doping you can have." Pajon's London win has spawned BMX circuits across Colombia`s cities where youngsters are now as keen to emulate Pajon as soccer stars like James Rodriguez. David Rodriguez, who travelled from Bogota with his mother to watch Pajon go for gold, summed up the mood as he joined in the salsa party shaking the temporary tribunes. "This is an amazing moment for me, I was in London 2012 and that was great and now again!" he said. "She`s an amazing girl. She has so much courage. She is a winner! "It's perfect today." Pajon, world champion this year as she was in 2011 and 2014, became only the second Colombian ever to win an Olympic gold medal in London. She said a repeat was even sweeter. "The first medal was incredible, but the second medal was more emotional," she told reporters. "Because it was in Brazil. This feel like a medal for all south Americans. I'm so proud." (Reuters)

Rio Olympics 2016: Colombian Pajon wins BMX gold

Venezuela and Colombia agreed on Thursday to reopen pedestrian border crossings between their countries, a year after Venezuela closed the frontier in a dispute over security and smuggling. 
 
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said he and his Venezuelan counterpart agreed to open five pedestrian crossings for 15 hours a day from Saturday. 
 
&quot;What we are going to do is open the border gradually,&quot; Santos told reporters after talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. 
 
&quot;It will be a temporary opening schedule while we learn and adapt to the decisions so that each step we take will be accurate and positive.&quot; 
 
Maduro said he hoped the reopening would lead to a &quot;new frontier of peace&quot; and &quot;a new beginning for economic and trade relations.&quot; 
 
Santos said they would continue discussions about opening up the border to cargo vehicles. 
 
He added that they were discussing the possibility of setting up Venezuelan gas stations on the Colombian side where Venezuela could sell its petrol. 
 
At the talks in the eastern Venezuelan town of Puerto Ordaz, the leaders said they reviewed reports by their advisers on cross-border smuggling and security. 
 
Security was the top issue at the border, Santos said. The two countries this week set up a joint initiative to fight organized crime. 
 
&quot;This is very important because it is going to make it possible for the rest of the border to operate peacefully,&quot; he said.Santos said the two countries also agreed to exchange customs information to fight petrol smuggling -- one reason Maduro cited for closing the border. 
 
Maduro sealed off his country&#39;s 2,200-kilometre (1,400-mile) western border on August 19 last year after an attack on a Venezuelan army patrol which wounded three people. 
 
He said at the time that right-wing paramilitaries from Colombia were to blame. 
 
The leftist leader has briefly reopened the border in recent weeks to allow Venezuelans to stock up on food, medicine and other basic supplies. 
 
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans streamed into the Colombian city of Cucuta last month, taking advantage of the temporary reopening. 
Venezuela is facing severe shortages in an economic crisis fueled by the global crash in the price of oil, its main export. 
 
Maduro&#39;s opponents also accuse him of mishandling the state-led economy. They are trying to call a referendum on removing him from office. 
 
The United Nations said Venezuela deported hundreds of Colombians last year after the border was closed and that thousands more fled back to Colombia for fear of being expelled. 
 
The UN Interamerican Commission on Human Rights said the situation caused a humanitarian crisis and that deported Colombians` rights were violated.&nbsp;Caracas denied the allegation. 
 
(AFP)

Maduro had also briefly reopened the border in recent weeks to allow crisis-hit Venezuelans to stock up on food and medicines

Venezuela and Colombia agreed on Thursday to reopen pedestrian border crossings between their countries, a year after Venezuela closed the frontier in a dispute over security and smuggling. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said he and his Venezuelan counterpart agreed to open five pedestrian crossings for 15 hours a day from Saturday. "What we are going to do is open the border gradually," Santos told reporters after talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. "It will be a temporary opening schedule while we learn and adapt to the decisions so that each step we take will be accurate and positive." Maduro said he hoped the reopening would lead to a "new frontier of peace" and "a new beginning for economic and trade relations." Santos said they would continue discussions about opening up the border to cargo vehicles. He added that they were discussing the possibility of setting up Venezuelan gas stations on the Colombian side where Venezuela could sell its petrol. At the talks in the eastern Venezuelan town of Puerto Ordaz, the leaders said they reviewed reports by their advisers on cross-border smuggling and security. Security was the top issue at the border, Santos said. The two countries this week set up a joint initiative to fight organized crime. "This is very important because it is going to make it possible for the rest of the border to operate peacefully," he said.Santos said the two countries also agreed to exchange customs information to fight petrol smuggling -- one reason Maduro cited for closing the border. Maduro sealed off his country's 2,200-kilometre (1,400-mile) western border on August 19 last year after an attack on a Venezuelan army patrol which wounded three people. He said at the time that right-wing paramilitaries from Colombia were to blame. The leftist leader has briefly reopened the border in recent weeks to allow Venezuelans to stock up on food, medicine and other basic supplies. Tens of thousands of Venezuelans streamed into the Colombian city of Cucuta last month, taking advantage of the temporary reopening. Venezuela is facing severe shortages in an economic crisis fueled by the global crash in the price of oil, its main export. Maduro's opponents also accuse him of mishandling the state-led economy. They are trying to call a referendum on removing him from office. The United Nations said Venezuela deported hundreds of Colombians last year after the border was closed and that thousands more fled back to Colombia for fear of being expelled. The UN Interamerican Commission on Human Rights said the situation caused a humanitarian crisis and that deported Colombians` rights were violated. Caracas denied the allegation. (AFP)

Colombia, Venezuela to reopen border

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