President Santos expresses hope for Colombian peace talks at UN

World Today

President Santos expresses hope for Colombian peace talks at UNJuan Manuel Santos Calderon, President of the Republic of Colombia speaks during the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly September 25, 2014 in New York. AFP PHOTO / Timothy A. CLARY

A little light was shed on peace talks between Colombia’s government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. After two years of closed door negotiations in Cuba, both sides have published part of their draft peace agreement. CCTV America’s Michelle Begue reports.

At the 69th U.N. General Assembly, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos had a message of hope for his country and the international community.

“Today I can tell the international community that we are closer than ever at achieving peace. The process that we have been going through in Havana for the last two years,with the FARC guerrilla, has been serious, realistic, dignified and efficient, and has concrete advances.” – Juan Manuel Santos, Colombian President

President Santos mentioned the joint decision to publish the accords agreed to so far between the government and the rebel group, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The full 65 pages of text on three topics (land, political participation of the rebel group and narco-trafficking) had not been disclosed until now. The government said it was a move to counter misinformation spread by opponents against the talks.