Raul Castro: No Going Back in Colombia's Peace Process

HAVANA, Cuba, Jun 23 (acn) The peace process can not be reversed, asserted Army General Raul Castro, President of the Cuban councils of State and Ministers, following the signing today in Havana of a historic and momentous agreement to end more than half a century of armed conflict in Colombia.

At the Protocol Hall of Cubanacan, at El Laguito, the signing ceremony of agreements on the bilateral and definitive cease-fire and cessation of hostilities, surrender of weapons and security guarantees between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) took place at noon Thursday.
In a brief speech, he recalled that when on November 19, 2012, the Negotiating Table between the government and the insurgency was created and started to work in the Cuban capital, many people predicted failure, as had happened in Colombia with previous peace processes.
However, the momentous agreements that have been announced today by the Table bring us closer as never before to the end of the armed conflict, which for more than five decades that fraternal people has suffered, emphasized the President of the Republic of Cuba.
He stated that this decision of the two parties represents a decisive breakthrough, that the peace process is irreversible and that peace will be the victory of all Colombia, but also of our America.
Raul highlighted that in its still very young history, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States has the great landmark of the proclamation of the region as a zone of peace, adding that the end of the armed conflict in Colombia will be a new demonstration of the commitment of the countries of this bloc against the use and threat of the use of force and for the peaceful settlement of disputes.
In the face of differences, dialogue; of challenges, cooperation, stressed the Army General and President, and pointed out that the achievement of peace in Colombia will also be hope for millions of people worldwide, whose primary concern continues to be survival in a world convulsed by violence and wars.
Peace is not utopia, it is a legitimate right of every human being and of all peoples, is a fundamental condition for the enjoyment of all human rights, including the supreme right to life, Raul insisted.
He reiterated that the commitment of the Cuban government and people to peace in Colombia has been and will be permanent, faithful to Marti's legacy that Homeland is Humanity.
Cuba, in its capacity as guarantor and venue of these talks, will continue to provide the necessary facilities and contributing in every way possible to the end of the conflict, with modesty, discretion and deep respect for the positions of the two parties, he said.
Finally, he congratulated the government of Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC-EP, and asserted that the two parties have worked tirelessly, with seriousness and commitment to achieve the crucial advances announced today.
There are still important and difficult issues pending in the Table, but we are optimistic and we are more convinced than ever that the future of Colombia will be peace, concluded Raul.