New York Times
A
Colombian peace deal that the president and the country’s largest rebel
group had signed just days before was defeated in a referendum on
Sunday, leaving the fate of a 52-year war suddenly uncertain.
A
narrow margin divided the yes-or-no vote, with 50.2 percent of
Colombians rejecting the peace deal and 49.8 percent voting in favor,
the government said.
The result was a deep embarrassment for President Juan Manuel Santos. Just last week, Mr. Santos had joined arms with leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or the FARC, who apologized on national television during a signing ceremony.
The
surprise surge by the “no” vote — nearly all major polls had indicated
resounding approval — left the country in a dazed uncertainty not seen
since Britain voted in June to leave the European Union. And it left the
future of rebels who had planned to rejoin Colombia as civilians — indeed, the future of the war itself, which both sides had declared over — unknown.
Click here for ENTIRE article.
Reflections from Colombia's CSN delegation by UW Alumni Haley Olig - EVENT
On Wednesday, October 12th, Colombia Support Network-UWBadgers will be hosting a talk from our intern Haley Olig, speaking on her delegation to Colombia last May - meeting with members of the Colombian government, international representatives in the peace process, as well as members of the rural peace community San José de Apartadó.
We feel this event would appeal to globally, advocacy minded UW-Madison students. We would love if you could send out this information on our event to your members. It will be next Wednesday, October 12th, in 206 Ingraham Hall, at 6 pm.
Click here for FLYER with EVENT INFORMATION.
Colombia’s opposition admits to purposely distorting reality to sink peace process, from Colombia Reports, Oct 6, 2016
Community Support Network
- October 3, 2016: Analysis: A Post-“No” Recovery Requires Quick Action and Realism About What is Achievable
- October 3, 2016: Plebiscite Vote : Where Do We Go From Here ?
- October 2, 2016: Colombia Peace Deal Resounds in FARC's Heartland
