Colombian Government and FARC Rebels Reach Land Reform Agreement

Peace negotiations aiming to end civil war in Columbia have reached a historic breakthrough. The land reform agreement that was reached on Sunday is the first significant sign of progress after negotiations that started six months ago. A statement that was read in Havana, Cuba stated that this particular agreement “seeks to reverse the causes of the conflict.” Unequal land distribution is at the very heart of the half a century of conflict in Colombia.

According to President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, a land reform and rural development agreement is only the first of six items in the agenda, but this would only take effect if a peace deal pushes through. Chile and Venezuela are observers in the peace negotiations while Norway and Cuba are the guarantors.

Land for the poor

The land that is not currently being used will be turned over to poor Columbian farmers who will receive loans from the government, while privately owned land would not be included in the deal. The impoverished countryside will also be provided with additional infrastructure and will be given aid in housing and health care.

Land has been at the center of the Colombian conflict which started in the middle of the 1960s. The FARC rebels have been fighting for the right of the peasants who have been unjustly deprived of land. The United Nations Development Program reported that the inequality of land distribution in Colombia is one of the most prominent in the world.

Negotiations reach a milestone

FARC rebels have been waging a bloody five decade-long struggle with the Colombian government. Humberto de la Calle, the chief peace negotiator for the Colombian government said that this change could finally put an end to many years of violence and conflict and is to date the longest running civil war in Latin America. Ivan Marquez is the lead negotiator for the Marxist FARC rebels.

The announcement was made in Havana in Cuba where the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the government sat down for talks half a year ago. Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, the representative of Cuba said that this agreement is part of an even bigger deal that the talks hope to accomplish in the next few months.

A fundamental step in the peace process

President Santos said that the government is celebrating the “fundamental step” and added that they will move on with the peace process in a responsible and prudent manner. The negotiators for the government have also reiterated the fact that a national referendum would have to approve any deal before it can be implemented. At this point, both sides are optimistic that negotiations would result in something concrete and beneficial to everyone concerned.

“Rebirth” of the countryside

The talks would still have to establish the necessary details on disarming the rebels and deciding on the rebel leaders convicted of murder, kidnapping, and drug trafficking. For their part, the FARC rebels stand by their accusations that the government of Colombia has allowed paramilitary groups that are right-wing to conduct massacres and have also executed guerrillas illegally.

Photo Credit: Marchando por la libertad en Colombia