UNEXPECTED

Colombian Voters Reject FARC Peace Deal

After four years of negotiations to get this far.

A landmark peace deal between President Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC insurgent group was rejected Sunday by Colombian voters, a surprise outcome that risks renewing five decades of armed conflict in the country. Ahead of the vote, polls had regularly predicted the peace deal would win approval, but with turnout at just 38 percent, the number of “Yes” votes was narrowly beaten by “No” votes. In announcing the news, Santos vowed to continue fighting for a peace deal. “I won’t surrender. I will continue to look for peace until the last minute of my term.” The peace accord with FARC came after four years of negotiations and would have ended 52 years of conflict. Rodrigo Londoño, the top FARC commander, told a Colombian radio station the rebels would still fight for peace as well. “To the Colombian people who dream of peace, count on us,” he said. The “No” vote won’t affect a cease-fire that is already in place with FARC, Santos said.