Group of Colombians demonstrates for ‘no’ vote against FARC peace referendum

Record ID: 83566

  • Title: Group of Colombians demonstrates for ‘no’ vote against FARC peace referendum
  • Date: 30th September 2016
  • Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (SEPTEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) CAMPAIGNERS FOR THE "NO" VOTE IN COLOMBIA'S PLEBISCITE ON THE PEACE AGREEMENT STANDING IN A GROUP WITH PINK AND BLUE BALLOONS READING: "NO" CLOSE-UP OF BALLOONS CLOSE-UP OF AN ELDERLY WOMAN WITH A CAP READING (IN SPANISH): "I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE AGREEMENT. I VOTE NO" A MAN WITH A PLASTIC VEST DESIGNED LIKE A BALLOT SLIP READING (IN SPANISH): "VOTE NO" CLOSE-UP OF VEST NO CAMPAIGNERS GATHERED IN SQUARE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNIDENTIFIED "NO" CAMPAIGNER, SAYING: "I support 'no' because I do not agree with the agreement that has been made, for us victims to achieve any programme from the government we have to fight far too much, whilst they are giving away money to those that made us victims, so that is why I do not agree, because of the inequality we face as victims, whilst the FARC are going to win everything and are going to take up political posts in our nation. We don't want to be another Venezuela." NO CAMPAIGNERS HOLDING BALLOONS CLOSE-UP OF BALLOONS CLOSE-UP OF CANDLES HELD IN PLASTIC CUPS READING: "NO" PEOPLE HOLDING BALLOONS AND CANDLES CLOSE-UP OF CANDLE IN CUP READING: "NO" A PERSON WRAPPED IN COLOMBIAN FLAG WALKING THROUGH GROUP OF CAMPAIGNERS WITH BALLOONS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FORMER VICE PRESIDENT, FRANCISCO SANTOS, SAYING: "Through this event we want the victims to demand an apology. An apology is not collective, it is individual. I want Romania to apologise to many of the victims who are here and whose families have disappeared. I want many of the commanders who circulated around Bogota and committed tremendous crimes against citizens of the capital, come and apologise, and that one day they can look the victims in the eye and say, ´We are very sorry'." MAN AND WOMAN HOLDING CANDLES IN CUPS READING: "NO" CLOSE-UP OF WOMAN HOLDING CANDLES CANDLES PLACED AROUND NOTES READING (IN SPANISH): "I AM YORMAN", "NO" CLOSE-UP OF CANDLE FLAME BURNING
  • Embargoed: 15th October 2016 02:25
  • Keywords: Colombia FARC peace deal referendum
  • Location: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
  • City: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
  • Reuters ID: LVA00151ME24J
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Campaigners met in central Bogota on Thursday (September 29) in support of a "no" vote for this weekend's plebiscite on whether to ratify a peace agreement signed on Monday (September 26) between the government and Marxist FARC rebels.
    With blue and pink balloons and candle holders reading "no", some hundred people gathered in a peaceful demonstration against the accord drawn up between President Juan Manuel Santos and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to end 52 years of civil war.
    "No" voters say they are in favour of peace, but against the accord which offers amnesty and reduced penalties to rebel fighters, as well as cash rewards and salaries just below the minimum wage.
    Another point of contention is the guarantee of five seats in the lower house of congress and five in the senate which will be awarded to the political party to transition out of the FARC as an incentive for disarmament.
    "I support 'no' because I do not agree with the agreement that has been made, for us victims to achieve any programme from the government we have to fight far too much, whilst they are giving away money to those that made us victims, so that is why I do not agree, because of the inequality we face as victims, whilst the FARC are going to win everything and are going to take up political posts in our nation. We don't want to be another Venezuela," said one woman at the demonstration.
    The FARC's highest commander, Rodrigo Londono alias Timochenko, offered an official apology on Monday at the signing of the agreement, for the suffering his group has caused.
    Speaking at the demonstration in Bogota, former Vice President Francisco Santos, said this was not enough, and demanded FARC commanders present an apology to each and every victim.
    "Through this event we want the victims to demand an apology. An apology is not collective, it is individual. I want Romania to apologise to many of the victims who are here and whose families have disappeared. I want many of the commanders who circulated around Bogota and committed tremendous crimes against citizens of the capital, come and apologise, and that one day they can look the victims in the eye and say, ´We are very sorry'," said Santos.
    The most recent survey, conducted by polling firm Ipsos on behalf of local media RCN Radio, RCN Television, La FM radio and Semana magazine, showed 66 percent of those voting would approve the deal, while 34 percent would vote against it.
    Polls open at 8 a.m. (1300 G.M.T.) on Sunday (October 2). To make the vote's result binding, the winning side would need a majority of votes cast and support totalling at least 13 percent of the country's 33 million eligible voters.
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