Voters in Colombia have narrowly rejected a landmark peace deal with FARC rebels in a referendum result which showed 50.24% voting against it.
The deal which was signed last week by President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC leader Timoleon Jimenez after nearly four years of negotiations needed to be ratified by Colombians in order to come into force.
The surprise victory for the “no” camp disappoints the international community from the White House to the Vatican, that had expected an end of the longest-running conflict in the Americas.
Voter turnout was only 37 percent, and it is believed that the torrential rain through the country caused this.
Addressing the nation, President Santos said he accepted the result but would continue working to achieve peace.
He said the current ceasefire remained in place and that he had ordered negotiators to travel to Cuba to consult FARC leaders on the next move.
“I will not give up, I will keep seeking peace until the last day of my term because that is the way to leave a better nation for our children,” said Santos, who cannot seek re-election when his second term ends in August 2018.
Meanwhile, the FARC leader, known as Timochenko, said the group remained committed to securing an end to the war. He also criticized the no campaign.
“The FARC reiterates its disposition to use only words as a weapon to build toward the future,” said Timochenko, whose real name is Rodrigo Londono. “To the Colombian people who dream of peace, count on us, peace will triumph.”
The rebels earlier agreed to lay down their weapons after 52 years of conflict to join the political process. But critics said the deal treated the FARC, which the US still considers a terrorist group, too leniently.
The deal would have allowed rebel leaders to avoid a prison sentence if they confessed their crimes. The rebels were also promised 10 seats in congress for the next two elections.
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