A conversation with former President of Colombia Andres Pastrana

Americas Now

The Colombian government and the FARC have been at the negotiating table before the current peace conference in Cuba. More than fifteen years ago President Andres Pastrana engaged in formal peace talks with the FARC.

He even traveled and met with the group’s leader in rebel held territory.  But after years of discussions the talks failed amid continuing violence and other factors.  

“Americas Now” anchor Elaine Reyes recently had the opportunity to sit down with President Pastrana.  He shared his personal reflections of that time and told us if the atmosphere in his country has changed enough since then to achieve lasting peace. 

President Pastrana resigned last year from a special Peace Commission formed to help guide President Juan Manuel Santos in the final stages of FARC negotiations.   He felt the government was giving up too much when it came to the transitional justice of FARC members. 

Watch Elaine’s interview here.

A conversation with former President of Colombia Andres Pastrana

The Colombian government and the FARC have been at the negotiating table before the current peace conference taking place in Cuba. More than fifteen years ago President Andres Pastrana engaged in formal peace talks with the FARC. He even traveled and met with the group's leader in rebel held territory. But after years of discussions the talks failed amid continuing violence and other factors.