Lately in Colombia there´s
been a lot of noise and debate regarding the peace talks in Havana. Since
2012 the representatives of the Colombian government have been discussing with the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) trying to reach an
agreement and a solution to a war that has been devastating the country for
over fifty years. The conflict between the Colombian State, the Farc, and other armed
groups has created the biggest case of internally displaced population and an
increasing number of victims (nearly 6.7 million people have registered to be
repaired in the Victims Unit). The war has transformed the whole political
panorama of the country and has bled out its finances.
Reaching an agreement between the Farc and the Colombian government seems
difficult. This is not the first time that the two parties get together to
discuss if there is a chance for a cease fire. The current talks in Havana
have been the fourth attempt during the last 30 years to have formal talks with the FARC to end their insurgency. The two most important precedent talks took place
during the administrations of President Betancur (1982-1986) and President
Pastrana (1998-2002).
President Betancur reached out to the guerrillas in in
1982, afterwards the FARC announced they would establish a political party to
compete in the mainstream political system.
