International Business Times, Singapore Edition
Politics

Colombias FARC celebrate end of role in war after weapons hand over

Colombias Marxist FARC rebels have ended their role in a half-century war that killed more than 220,000 and displaced millions by concluding their disarmament, handing in all but a few of their individual weapons to the UN. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, turned in the remaining 40% of their firearms in Mesetas, a mountainous area in south-eastern Colombia. The roughly 7,000 former fighters have pledged to continue their struggle as a political movement and 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. President Juan Manuel 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.

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Colombias Marxist FARC rebels have ended their role in a half-century war that killed more than 220,000 and displaced millions by concluding their disarmament, handing in all but a few of their individual weapons to the UN. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, turned in the remaining 40% of their firearms in Mesetas, a mountainous area in south-eastern Colombia. The roughly 7,000 former fighters have pledged to continue their struggle as a political movement and 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. President Juan Manuel 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.

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