The State Department on Monday rejected the prediction that Colombia will return to a state of war between the government and FARC rebels, now that millions of Colombian voters have rejected a peace deal the U.S. helped broker.
“I think the Colombian people have been very clear on their view, that they believe in a peaceful future for their country, for their citizens, for their children,” said department spokesman Elizabeth Trudeau after being asked if the 52-year conflict might resume.
“Instead of getting into hypotheticals … I just reiterate our commitments,” she said. “We’ll stand by the government and the people of Colombia as they work through this.”
Last week, the State Department was trumpeting the deal as an end to the 52 years of fighting that cost more than 220,000 lives and displaced millions of people.
“This historic event won’t get the attention it should — but it’s a huge deal,” tweeted Marie Harf, a senior adviser to Secretary of State John Kerry. “Demonstrates the power of diplomacy to solve conflict.”
Harf also tweeted that the U.S. was “engaged for years facilitating these negotiations.”
But Sunday, Colombians narrowly rejected the deal, 50.22 percent to 49.78 percent, after nearly 6.5 million votes. Several reports said a slim majority of voters wasn’t happy with the deal, which would have legitimized FARC by giving it seats in the country’s Congress.
CNN reported Monday that “many Colombians were angered by what they saw as insufficient punishment for those who perpetrated a litany of crimes against their people.”
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos insisted on a vote, and seemed to be aware that voters may reject the deal in light of how it is treating the rebel group.
