Colombia and FARC closer to peace settlement

(Vatican Radio) The biggest move towards a final peace settlement is less than a step away, as the Colombian Government agrees to formulate a permanent ceasefire. 

This key will unlock other remaining issues in the peace talks, which have been going on since November 2012. 

Listen to the report by James Blears:
 
Juan Manuel Santos risked his Presidential re-election campaign on a promise to see the peace process through to a lasting conclusión, in order to finally end a conflict with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia- the FARC, which has been dragging on since 1964. 
 
This massive step forward is more like a leap of faith, rather than a hop skip and a jump. 

The FARC had cynically previously used ceasefires in other negotions in years past, to rest, recoup, rearm and relaunch yet more offensives.  

The cost in lives of this five decade conflict,  can be numbered in hundreds of thousands, while millions more have been forced to flee from their homes. 

So far, the peace negotiators in Havana, Cuba, have agreed land reform, The FARC's peaceful political transition from the bullet to the ballot box....and no more drug trafficking by them. 

But other issues including recognizing the rights of victims and the displaced, as well as how everything is going to fit together and be implimented in the concluding agreement,  is still under intense discussion. 

The conclusión of military hostilities will not only an end to a means, it's also a welcome beacon of hope, with the end finally within sight.