Colombia signs amended peace deal with FARC rebels

President Juan Manuel Santos and guerrilla leader Rodrigo “Timochenko” Londono signed the new deal with a pen made from a bullet used in the conflict, in a low-key ceremony in the capital Bogota. “That’s the call we’re making”, said Londono, who surprised many by congratulating Trump on his electoral victory during a speech at Thursday’s signing ceremony.

But the accords stopped short of the demands of some “no” voters, many of whom wanted the government to ban those involved in war crimes from any political participation. “It is better because we picked the hopes and observations of the majority of the people”.

Santos and Rodrigo “Timochenko” Londono, FARC leader, signed an earlier version of the deal in a triumphant ceremony with worldwide leaders on September 27.

President Santos has taken a bold step in agreeing to a peace accord, especially given his earlier anti-FARC positions and the strong objections from a significant number of Colombians and from the political opposition. This time the deal will be sent directly to the Colombian Congress without a public referendum.

However, this 297-page agreement has remained in limbo and can not be implemented as it was rejected by a tight majority of voters who voted in a referendum on October 2nd. Santos said that by the end of April next year, all of the FARC’s weapons will be handed over to the United Nations.

Thousands gathered at the main plaza in Bogota, Plaza Bolivar, to celebrate the second agreement between the government and the guerrilla group.

“We can’t forget that on October 2, Colombians rejected this accord”, Carlos Holmes Trujillo, a leader in the opposition Democratic Center party, said in an interview.

Some 2,500 guests including 15 heads of state attended the signing of the initial deal, held with exuberant festivities in the Caribbean city of Cartagena. “From the outset, the peace process has been for, of and by Colombians”.

The opposition has rejected the peace deal with FAR, saying it does not go far enough in punishing rebels who committed atrocities throughout the years. If passed by congress, it will be included in the Colombian constitution.

Sen. Mauricio Lizcano, president of the congress, said in an interview that debate would begin next week, with lawmakers approving the pact within days.

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Once considered the most unlikely of bedfellows, the FARC and Santos’ Social Party of National Unity could form an alliance to protect the deal from opponents, led by hawkish ex-president Alvaro Uribe.

Many FARC members are likely to be killed once they demobilize and lay down their arms, Timochenko said, though adding that he was not especially afraid for his own life.