The Colombian government under President Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC rebel group on Wednesday announced the warring sides have reached a deal on a bilateral cease-fire that could lead to the end of the 52-year conflict.
Peace talks have been taking place between the government and the FARC in Havana, Cuba, since 2012. The sides said they were able to overcome the most contentious aspect of the peace negotiations: the disarmament of the 7,000-strong guerilla group and details over the transition of its members into civilian life. In the early 2000s, about 17,000 militants fought for the FARC.
Santos will travel to Havana on Thursday for a ceremony in which FARC leader Rodrigo Londoño — also known as Timoleón Jiménez or Timochenko — will attend.
“Tomorrow will be a great day! We worked for a Colombia at peace, a dream that becomes reality,” Santos said Wednesday.
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