FARC Rebels, Colombian Government sign historic Peace Treaty

(VNF) - FARC rebels and the Colombian government met in Havana on September 21^st to sign a historic peace accord, marking the end to a guerrilla war that has seethed for more than half a century.

The brutal conflict has killed more than 220,000 people and displaced millions.

Colombian government negotiator Humberto de la Calle (right) and his Farc counterpart Ivan Marquez (left) signed the agreement as Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez watched. (Photo: REUTERS)

Peace talks began in 2012 between the rebels (known as the FARC) and the government. A tentative outline for a deal was reached last year, and a cease-fire signed earlier this summer. After last-minute bargaining on the details, the final accord marked the end of the intense four-year negotiations.

The agreement, reached in Havana where the talks took place, effectively signifies the end of the last major guerrilla struggle in Latin America.

It outlines a timetable in which the rebels, known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, will abandon their arms. It also sets out a pathway in which former fighters will enter civilian life again — and in some cases, run for office.

"The best way to win the war was to sit down and negotiate peace," Humberto de la Calle, the government's top representative at the talks, said.

“Today begins the end of the suffering, the pain and the tragedy of war,” President Juan Manuel Santos said in a nationally televised address after the agreement was announced. “Let’s open the door together to a new stage in our history.”

Hundreds of Colombians have celebrated an historic peace accord between the government and left-wing FARC rebels, signed after 52 years of conflict.

Colombians celebrate in Bogota on Sept. 21^st as they watch on a giant screen broadcasting the signing of a peace agreement between the Colombian Government and the FARC in Havana. (Photo: Guillermo Legaria/AFP/Getty Images)

Under the terms of the agreement, the FARC will give up its armed struggle and join the legal political process.

"There is no room for winners or losers when you achieve peace through negotiations," tweeted Farc negotiator Rodrigo Granda. "Colombia wins, death loses."

The left-wing rebels have been fighting Colombian government since 1964. It is the longest-running conflict in Latin America.

The next step is up to the Colombian people: President Santos said he would be holding a referendum on Oct. 2^nd, with a yes-or-no vote on the agreement.

"It's in your hands, of all Colombians, to decide with your vote to support this historic accord that puts an end to this long conflict between the children of the same nation," he said./.

Minh Phuong