Velasco, Sofia

Mr. Wisner

World History

Period T3

Date: 11/20/16

Colombia Peace Deal Is Defeated,

Leaving a Nation in Shock

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/03/world/colombia-peace-deal-defeat.html

Key Vocabulary from the Article

Referendum- a general vote by the electorate on a single political

question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.
Successive- following one another or following others.
Amnesty- an official pardon for people who have been convicted of
political offenses.
Insurgency- a movement within a country dedicated to overthrowing the
government.
Guerrillas- a member of a small independent group taking part in
irregular fighting, typically against larger regular forces.
Marxism- the political and economic theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich
Engels, later developed by their followers to form the basis for the theory and
practice of communism.
Negotiations- discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

Summary of the Event

The president of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, signed a peace deal with
South-Americas greatest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
(FARC) on September 26th, 2016. The Colombian government hoped that this
agreement would bring peace to the nation and end five decades of war, but this deal
was defeated in a referendum on October 2nd, 2016. The country is divided between
the yes-or-no-vote. 50.2 percent of Colombia found flaw in the deal and rejected it, while
49.8 hoped for peace and voted in favor. The results were a shock to President Santos
and even the leaders of the FARC, who had apologized on national television a few
days prior.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia have destroyed the nation for 52
years. The government of Colombia seeks peace with these rebels after years of theft,
massacres, burned villages, sexual assault, child soldiers, cocaine-trafficking,
kidnappings, murders, and war. The deal organized was to establish special courts to
try FARC members for their crimes. If a rebel confessed to their crimes, they would be
given lenient punishments and would not serve time in conventional prisons. The
Colombian government would also give FARC members a stipend and help them start
businesses if they wanted. The FARC would also become a legitimate political party,
with ten seats in the Colombian Congress for the 2018 and 2022 elections
The no vote left the Colombian nation in uncertainty, it paused the idea of the
rebels rejoining Colombia as civilians, and it continued the nations fight for revolution.
The voters were asked the simple question Do you support the final agreement to end
the conflict and construct a stable and enduring peace? The no group stated the only
thing they wanted was a peaceful Colombia, but they didnt agree in rewarding the
FARC. Many of the no voters have experienced first-handed suffering and torture,
leaving them in protest for fair punishment for the rebels. Roosevelt Pulgarin, a music
teacher, stated that Theres no justice in this accord. She commented that we wont
have peace, but at least we wont give the country away to the guerrillas. We need
better negotiations.

My Opinion of the Event

My opinion of the event is that I agree with the no voters. The FARC is looking
for peace and forgiveness, which I believe is completely irrational after years of torture,
anxiety, and suffering. I have personally experienced perturbation for years because of
the FARC, and it is not just that the people that helped create such a bad reputation for
Colombia would now be compensated for their dreadful acts. I believe the rebels should
be tried in the same courts and with the same punishments as every Colombian citizen
is. The FARC says that everyone deserves a second chance, but I dont agree that their
second chance is a monthly allowance coming from taxes of poor civilians, businesses
in their name, and chairs for them in Congress. These people have ruined and divided
the entire nation. Colombia is having an economical crisis, and theyre willing to take
from the needy victims to give to the rebels. I am saddened that Colombia is forced to
continue with this revolution, but I believe thats better than rewarding those who have
destroyed the country along with the people.

Relate your Event to a Historical Event

My current event about Colombias peace deal relates to the Cuban Revolution.
These two Latin American countries revolutions took place around the same time
frame: Cubas 26th of July Movement starting in 1953, and Colombias FARC founded in
1964. The 26th of July Movement was formed with communist ideas, which led to the
establishment of the Communist Party of Cuba in 1965. In the contrary, the FARC was
established after the Colombian Communist Party was founded in 1930, and the FARC
later became the military wing of the Colombian Communist Party. The Cuban
Revolution was successful because Fidel Castro became the leader of Cuba and
established his communist ideas. Fidel Castro was also able to establish strong
connections with the Soviet Union, gaining their financial and military support. On the
other side, Colombias FARC was not successful. The FARC was forced to surrender
and accept the Colombias peace deal.

Relate your Event to the a Theme

The Article Colombia Peace Deal Is Defeated, Leaving a Nation in Shock

relates to the Political Structures theme. In the Political Structures theme, this event
relates to Revolts and Revolutions. This event relates to the Revolts and Revolutions
because Colombia is seeking a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces
of Colombia, which have divided the country in two and have started revolution in this
nation. The Colombians who denied the peace deal are continuing the revolution
against the government because they want fair punishment for the guerrilla, while the
Colombians who are for the peace deal are rebelling against their opposition because
they want the war to end. The whole country wants change, and this event shows the
revolution that theyre going to continue to go through until everyone reaches a
compromise.

Questions You Have About the Event

1. Are the victims affected by the FARC going to be compensated for their
hardships?
2. How are they going to determine the amount of money each rebel
receives?
3. Since the Colombian government believes in second chances, are they
going to lower the penalties for those already incarcerated?
4. How long will it take for everyone to reach an agreement?
5. Why did Colombia establish a peace deal when they were so close to
ending the FARC with the help of the U.S?
6. Even if the peace deal is established, will the war end?
7. If the war ended, how long will it take Colombia to fix their reputation as a
nation?