The dramatic figures of the conflict: 220,000 lives lost and 7 million people displaced.
The moment President Juan Manuel Santos and a FARC representative announce the deal. / Colprensa
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced that his government has signed an agreement with the biggest guerrilla in the country, the FARC, “end the conflict” in the Latin American country.
Carlos A. Lozada, the leader of the guerrilla said "the long night is over", and added that this could be "the last day of the war".
Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, flew to Colombia to oversee the final moments of the agreement.
Other countries involved in the peace process were Norway, Chile , Cuba and Venezuela.
Di instrucciones precisas a @EquipoPazGob que viaja a La Habana para que busquen cerrar el punto del fin del conflicto y cese al fuego.
— Juan Manuel Santos (@JuanManSantos) 21 de juny de 2016
DRAMATIC FIGURES
As many as 220,000 lives are thought to have been lost during 52 years of fighting.
Almost 7 million people have been displaced in this dramatic conflict.
The agreed ceasefire opens a new stage in which many trust the open wounds will slowly start to heal.
A student goes through a military control in Colombia. / Agencies
THE GOSPEL AND THE PROCESS OF PEACE
In an article published at Evangelical Focus, former European Comission worker, Michael Gowen reflected on how the gospel has changed the lives of people heavily involved in the conflict.
“What role can Christians play in this process, we who know the person who is the Truth?, and who will ultimately bring about Justice in the universe, we who know God’s forgiveness and have been reconciled to him? What advice should pastors and Christian leaders give on these issues? Do pray for Colombia. This is a crucial moment.”
In December 2015, the author reflected: “Christians are called to be bringers of hope, not of cynicism. There will undoubtedly be a multitude of problems after the agreement is signed; but unless somebody somewhere is willing to take a risk to move peace forward, Colombia will continue to be caught up in the cycle of violence for many decades more.”
Read about Colombia’s peace process:
- “Colombia, the price of peace”
- “Colombia, dealing with the past”
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