Colombians appear to reject FARC peace deal by razor-thin margin

World Today

A supporter of the peace accord signed between the Colombian government and rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, cries as she follows on a giant screen the results of a referendum to decide whether or not to support the deal in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. Colombia’s peace deal with leftist rebels was on the verge of collapsing in a national referendum Sunday, with those opposing the deal leading by a razor-thin margin with almost all votes counted.(AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Colombians appear to reject the FARC peace deal with by razor-thin margin, creating a major shock for the war-torn country.

With more than 99 percent of voting stations reporting, those opposing the deal led with 50.2 percent, compared to 49.8 percent for those backing the deal — a difference of less than 59,000 votes out of 13 million counted.

Colombia’s president recognized the referendum defeat, adding that the cease-fire to remain in place. The president has also ordered his negotiators to travel to Cuba to consult FARC on the road ahead.

In a much-anticipated televised address, President Juan Manuel Santos said he will leave in place a cease-fire with the rebels while trying to save the peace accord. He said the accord represents the best option for Colombia to put behind it more than a half century of hostilities with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Santos also said he has ordered government negotiators to return to Cuba on Monday to consult with leaders of the FARC.

The president also added: “I won’t give up. I’ll continue search for peace until the last moment of my mandate.”

CCTV America’s Michelle Begue reports from Bogota.

The leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia reiterated the rebel group’s willingness to continue working toward peace following what appears to be a national referendum’s shocking rejection of its accord with the government.

Speaking to journalists in Havana after Sunday’s referendum results, the FARC leader known widely by his nom de guerre Timochenko referred to the FARC as a political movement instead of a rebel army.


Joseph Humire discusses the Colombian plebiscite

After the shocking “No” vote against the plebiscite, what will be the future for the Colombian people, the government and the FARC? CCTV America’s Susan Roberts spoke to Joseph Humire, executive director of Center for a Free Society about Sunday’s vote and the future for the country.