Signing of Peace Agreement in Colombia: FARC Leader Apologizes to Victims of Conflict

The leader of the rebel group FARC has issued a public apology to the victims of the armed conflict in Colombia, which officially ended yesterday with the signing of a peace agreement with the Colombian government, writes the BBC, reports NAP.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC commander Rodrigo Londono, better known as Timochenko, signed the agreement on Monday evening in a highly emotional ceremony.

- I ask for forgiveness for all the pain we have caused during the war, Londono said in his address.

Guests at the ceremony held in Cartagena applauded Timochenko's apology.

Some shouted “Yes, we can!” as FARC members and Latin American dignitaries took the stage and applauded.

The ceremony marking the end of the 52-year conflict was broadcast via large screens in Bogota and all major cities.

FARC rebels gathered in camps also followed the broadcast.

There was much symbolism in this historic signing – a pen made from a bullet casing used to sign the peace document, a joint singing of Beethoven's Ode to Joy, all participants dressed in white.

President Santos said this historic moment was Colombia's message to the world – never again war. “Never again war,” the crowd chanted.

This was the first time Timochenko addressed the nation live on TV. He promised that the FARC would lay down their arms; moreover, he asked for forgiveness, earning him ovations.

However, after 50 years of war, many Colombians are not ready to forgive. As Santos said, the hard work of building peace now lies ahead.

In accordance with the peace agreement, the FARC will transform into a political party and participate in the 2018 elections, with a guaranteed minimum of 10 seats in congress.

- Replacing bullets with votes and weapons with ideas is the bravest and most intelligent decision for any rebel group, President Santos said.

- As you begin your return to society, as head of state and of the homeland we all love, I welcome you to democracy, Santos said.

Timochenko stated that the rebels would no longer take up arms.

- The war is over, we are starting to build peace, he said before his speech was drowned out by the sound of a Colombian fighter jet flying overhead.

Momentarily unsettled, Timochenko then smiled and joked:

- This time they are coming in honor of peace, not to bomb.