OpEd for The World Post - The Huffington Post

Published: March, 2016

PEACE, IN COLOMBIAN, MEANS DIVISION

First, some background: Colombia’s armed conflict is the longest running in Latin America and, some say, the world. The Marxist guerrillas and the Colombian government started a peace process two years ago. They agreed on a deadline for a final peace accord: March 23, 2016. Such deadline, proclaimed by the country’s president in the past United Nations General Assembly, was not met. Instead, a profound debate about how to achieve peace has dived Colombians further.

Polarization inevitably became a trademark for Colombia’s upcoming peace deal. Sadly, and maybe unavoidably, political differences between the country’s leaders obscured the mere fact that peace between State and rebels might actually be signed this very same month. Such, one might say, is the Colombian way.

Pessimism stalked peace negotiators right before the original deadline agreed by both government and guerrillas for signing the final peace accord. The deadline was Wednesday March 23rd. The actual date may or may not have a meaning; being given that even Barack Obama planned his historic trip to Cuba on the same week. But, the true connotation and impact of these missteps rely on the cloud of doubt that overshadows the country’s view of a future sans political violence.

FULL ARTICLE HERE