- Title: Colombians in Cuba cast vote in Colombian referendum, some FARC not registered
- Date: 2nd October 2016
- Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (OCTOBER 2, 2016) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** EXTERIOR OF COLOMBIAN EMBASSY WITH SIGN PROMOTING PEACE REFERENDUM VARIOUS COLOMBIAN CONSUL IN CUBA, LUIS FERNANDO CORDOBA, VOTING AT EMBASSY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CONSUL DE COLOMBIA EN CUBA, LUIS FERNANDO CORDOBA, SAYING: "The great majority of FARC members have already left Cuba, but some are still here. We are putting together documents so they can go out (to vote), but they can't vote here because they weren't registered for the last election, and so just like any Colombian who is not registered, they can't vote. The few who remain and who have come to speak to me over the last few days, have come to me for paperwork to go to Colombia to complete their mission for the peace agreement there in Colombia." COLOMBIAN EMBASSY WORKER OPENING DOOR FOR VOTER TO COME IN VARIOUS OF ELECTION WORKERS CHECKING IN COLOMBIAN CITIZEN, INCLUDING PLEBISCITE JURY MEMBER, ANDREA BENDECK BALLOT BOX (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLOMBIAN REFERENDUM JURY MEMBER, ANDREA BENDECK, SAYING: "Colombia needs peace, and needs the cooperation of all Colombians, not just for those of us who are living now, but peace is needed for our future too. And I hope all Colombians, not just those who live in Cuba, but also those who live in Colombia, support the peace process." VARIOUS OF 82-YEAR OLD COLOMBIAN CITIZEN AND 60-YEAR CUBAN RESIDENT, CLIMACO ENRIQUEZ ZAMORANO, VOTING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) 82-YEAR OLD COLOMBIAN CITIZEN AND 60-YEAR CUBAN RESIDENT, CLIMACO ENRIQUEZ ZAMORANO, SAYING: "I have been in Cuba for so many years, but I've remained Colombian. I am happy. I think it's the opportunity that destiny has given us to bring peace to Colombia, which all Colombians have longed for so long even though certain individuals don't want it because it doesn't benefit them. And I think everyone who feels Colombian has the obligation to vote 'yes.'" SIGN THAT READS, "COLOMBIA CELEBRATES LIVING IN PEACE" EXTERIOR OF COLOMBIAN EMBASSY IN HAVANA COLOMBIAN FLAG
- Embargoed: 17th October 2016 17:49
- Keywords: FARC Havana plebiscite referendum Colombia
- Location: HAVANA, CUBA
- City: HAVANA, CUBA
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA00152BAZBB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Colombians living in Cuba, including some members of the FARC, made their way to the Colombian Embassy in Havana on Sunday (October 2) to cast their vote in a referendum to approve or reject a government peace deal with the rebel group.
Colombians appeared to be ready to back the peace accord with Marxist FARC rebels, the final hurdle for a deal that would end 52 years of war and allow FARC fighters to re-enter society and form a political party.
Members of the FARC and the government of President Juan Manuel Santos started negotiating the peace deal here in Havana back in 2012.
After four years of negotiations, the final agreement was applauded around the world. Recent polls show about two-thirds of voters are likely to ratify it.
The referendum requires a simple "yes" or "no" on whether Colombians support the accord signed on Monday (September 26) by President Santos, who has staked his legacy on peace, and the rebel commander known as Timochenko.
Colombian Consul to Cuba Luis Fernando Cordoba said most FARC members have gone back to Colombia and that only those previously registered here were eligible to cast a vote at the embassy on Sunday.
"The great majority of FARC members have already left Cuba, but some are still here. We are putting together documents so they can go out (to vote), but they can't vote here because they weren't registered for the last election, and so just like any Colombian who is not registered, they can't vote. The few who remain and who have come to speak to me over the last few days, have come to me for paperwork to go to Colombia to complete their mission for the peace agreement there in Colombia," Cordoba said.
But other Colombians living on the Caribbean island made their way to the polling place to make their voices heard.
"Colombia needs peace, and needs the cooperation of all Colombians, not just for those of us who are living now, but peace is needed for our future too. And I hope all Colombians, not just those who live in Cuba, but also those who live in Colombia, support the peace process," said plebiscite jury member, Andrea Bendeck.
"I have been in Cuba for so many years, but I've remained Colombian. I am happy. I think it's the opportunity that destiny has given us to bring peace to Colombia, which all Colombians have longed for so long even though certain individuals don't want it because it doesn't benefit them. And I think everyone who feels Colombian has the obligation to vote 'yes,'" said 82-year-old Enriquez Zamorano who says he has lived in Cuba for 60 years.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, whose numbers halved to about 7,000 in recent years due to a U.S.-backed military offensive, have agreed to turn in weapons and fight for power at the ballot box instead of with bullets.
Under the accord, the FARC, which began as a peasant revolt in 1964, can compete in the 2018 presidential and legislative elections and will have 10 unelected congressional seats guaranteed through 2026.
They will give up their role in the lucrative illegal drug trade and take part in reforming rural Colombia, most of which is poor and undeveloped.
Details of the FARC's political platform have not yet been revealed but its Marxist rhetoric goes very much against the beliefs of the largely conservative Colombian population and most, including Santos, think they will have difficulty finding a political footing. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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