Colombia Ratifies Peace Accord, Starts Disarmament Countdown
- Accord with FARC rebels ratified by lower house in 130-0 vote
- Rebels to start handing over arms to United Nations in 90 days
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Colombia’s congress ratified a revised peace agreement with the country’s largest rebel group, just two months after voters rejected the original accord, starting the countdown to the disarmament of about 7,000 combatants.
The Chamber of Representatives voted 130-0 on Wednesday in favor of the peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, a day after the Senate gave its approval. Rebels will start to move toward designated transitional zones in five days, with all weapons to be handed over to United Nations representatives within 150 days.