Colombia might hold peace accords referendum before deal is signed

(Vatican Radio) The president of Colombia said on Thursday the national referendum on the peace settlement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) could be put to the vote before the formal signing ceremony of the agreement. 

Listen to the report by correspondent James Blears:

According to Colombia`s Constitutional Court, in order for binding legitimacy to prevail, at least thirteen percent of the Electorate would have to vote in favor of holding a national referendum, about the peace treaty, which has been agreed to by the government and the rebels.

President Juan Manuel Santos, who took his time in agreeing to a ceasefire with the FARC, has already staked his re-election and overall political career on the success of the deal. He has been insistent on making tangible progress towards a deadline after four years of peace negotiations in Havana.

"When we finish the agenda points, that is to say, when everything is agreed, that is when we will send the texts to Congress and convene the plebiscite," Santos said.

"That moment won't necessarily coincide with the signing of the accords,” he continued. “The signing is a formality, it can be done afterward."