After the "NO" in the Referendum about the peace agreement: What happens next and how is the current situation in Colombia?

On sunday, the 02nd of October, the referendum about the peace agreement between the government and the left-wing Farc rebels took place in Colombia. The question:  ¿Apoya el acuerdo final para la terminación del conflicto y construcción de una paz estable y duradera? (translated: Do you support the contract to end the conflict and build a stable and permanent peace?), was answered surprisingly by "NO". 

The same sunday in the evening after the elections, both the president Juan Manuel Santos, as well as the FARC leader Timochenko confirmed that the definitive ceasefire deal continues to be valid. "Words will be our only weapon", Timochenko said yesterday in the evening. 

On today's monday, the 3rd of October, all the political forces of the country will get together, to define the next steps. Everyone agrees that there must be a peace agreement, but there is disacordance about several parts of the agreement, as for example the extent of impunity for former FARC Guerrilleros and the integration of the FARC into Colombian politics. 

What do we think about the situation?: Security in the country is today the same as before the elections, as the ceacefire deal continues to be valid. All the political parties (including the ones inviting people voting for "NO"), agree that there should be a peace agreement. There are no announcements about any rebellions or disturbances. We keep you updated.

What happened before?

On 26th of September the Colombian government and left-wing Farc rebels have signed  the peace agreement in Cartagena that formally brings an end to 52 years of armed conflict. In 2012 the peace talks started under the government of Juan Manuel Santos and a few months ago both parties were able to agree on a definitive ceasefire deal. Some of our Neptuno team joined the public viewing happening of the nationwide transmitted signing of the agreement at Bogota´s main square Plaza Bolivar. Probally for many Colombians the most emotional moment of the whole ceremony was when FARC leader “Timochenko” said: “I would like to ask for forgiveness for all the pain that we have caused during this war”. The conflict killed more than 200,000 people and left more than four million internally displaced.