Hope and fear in Colombia as armed conflict may end

Americas Now

Millions of Colombians are hoping their long civil war may finally be over. With a peace deal close at hand, there’s encouragement, especially in the nation’s countryside, the conflict may cease but also concern new fighting could begin.

But peace is upending the lives of hundreds of thousands who have lived under the FARC’s rule for decades. And they fear that if the government doesn’t act quickly peace will not be enough to stop the bloodshed.

There have already been a number of killings in different parts of the country as various groups try to take control of the illegal drug crops. Human Rights Groups are pressuring the government to send more police and soldiers to ensure the safety of those areas.

Correspondent Toby Muse reports from a town in Northern Colombia that’s been caught in the crossfire of the combat.

Hope and fear in Colombia as armed conflict may end

Millions of Colombians are hoping their long civil war may finally be over. With a peace deal close at hand, there’s encouragement, especially in the nation’s countryside, the conflict may cease but also concern new fighting could begin. But peace is upending the lives of hundreds of thousands who have lived under the FARC’s rule for decades. And they fear that if the government doesn’t act quickly peace will not be enough to stop the bloodshed. There have already been a number of killings in different parts of the country as various groups try to take control of the illegal drug crops. Human Rights Groups are pressuring the government to send more police and soldiers to ensure the safety of those areas. Correspondent Toby Muse reports from a town in Northern Colombia that’s been caught in the crossfire of the combat.