Colombia closes in on a peace deal that could end world's longest civil war
Colombia closes in on a peace deal that could end world's longest civil war
President Juan Manuel Santos predicts talks taking place in Havana will see an agreement with the Farc by end of 2014
Jonathan Watts and Sibylla Brodzinsky in Bogotá
The Guardian, Sunday 16 March 2014 15.27 EDT
Colombia is nearing a peace deal that could end the longest-running civil war on the planet and significantly reduce the global supply of cocaine, according to President Juan Manuel Santos, who predicts an agreement with Farc guerrillas that will include the eradication of coca plantations.
Speaking to the Guardian, Santos said that peace talks taking place in Havana had shown sufficient progress to make 2014 a historic year.
"Hopefully by the end of the year, we will have this deal done," he said. "It is a tipping point. We have started not only conversations with the Farc, but a process whereby we are building the conditions to build peace for ever, not just for one or two years, but to change the history of this country."
Before a presidential election in May, Santos has every reason to talk up the prospects of a deal.
More:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/16/colombia-brink-ending-civil-war-farc
