The Colombian government announced progress in peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
The government said that an agreement on land reform had been reached by the two parties. A joint statement released by the two sides, outlined their agreement on ‘integrated rural reform’, which included a fund that allowed for the redistribution of unused land to displaced people and peasants.
FARC chief negotiator, Carlos Fernandex Cossio, described the land agreement as a vehicle to redistribute farmland, where farmers will receive, loans, technical assistance and marketing advice, whilst being bolstered by legal and police protection.
The Colombian Vice President, Hymberto de la Calle, also warned that there would be no peace deal until all six points had been agreed on, and that the final deal would also be put to a nationwide referendum for final approval to insure national participation and transparency.
The next round of talks are set to address the issue of how FARC will gain political representation, and whether or not the militants will be granted blanket immunity for the crimes they have committed.
