Juan Manuel Santos

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Latin America's Longest Conflict Steps Toward Its End

Colombia's FARC guerrillas lay down nearly all arms, declare end to insurgency

(Newser) - Colombia reached a major milestone on its road to peace Tuesday as leftist rebels gave up some of their last weapons and declared an end to their half-century insurgency. The historic step was taken as President Juan Manuel Santos traveled to a demobilization camp in Colombia's eastern jungles to...

In Mudslide's Grim Aftermath, 'Bodies All Over'

Colombia dealing with aftermath of devastating flooding, blames hard rain

(Newser) - A grim search for the missing resumed at dawn Sunday in southern Colombia after surging rivers sent an avalanche of floodwaters, mud, and debris through Mocoa, killing at least 200 people. People pried through piles of rocks and wooden planks that entombed homes. Streets were covered in thick sand, mud,...

Peace Laureate: Nobel Was 'Gift From Heaven'

Colombia's Santos says it gave him the momentum to close crumbling peace deal with FARC

(Newser) - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Saturday accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, saying it gave a boost to the "impossible dream" of ending his country's half-century-long civil war. In his acceptance speech, Santos described the award as a "gift from heaven" and dedicated it to all Colombians,...

Nobel Peace Prize Goes to Man Helping End 52-Year War

Colombian president won despite voter rejection of deal with rebels

(Newser) - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has won this year's Nobel Peace Prize for what the Nobel Committee calls "his resolute efforts to bring the country's more than 50-year-long civil war to an end," the AP reports. Santos and Rodrigo Londono, leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces...

Deal Will End 52-Year War, but Hurdles Remain
Deal Will End 52-Year War,
but Hurdles Remain
the rundown
Aug 25, 2016 12:03 AM CDT

Deal Will End 52-Year War, but Hurdles Remain

FARC, Colombian government made major announcement Wednesday

(Newser) - Its 52-year span makes it the Americas' "longest-running war," reports the New York Times , and after four years of negotiations, it will come to an end, at least assuming all goes according to plan. Colombia's government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or the FARC, on...

Santos Wins 'Dirty Election' in Colombia

Challenger accused him of selling out nation in FARC talks

(Newser) - Juan Manuel Santos convincingly won re-election today after Colombia's tightest presidential contest in years, an endorsement of his 18-month-old peace talks to end the Western Hemisphere's longest-running conflict. Santos defeated right-wing challenger Oscar Ivan Zuluaga with 53%-to-47% of valid votes with 99.7% of precincts reporting. Zuluaga was...

Obama: Drug 'Legalization Is Not the Answer'
 Obama: Drug 
 'Legalization Is 
 Not the Answer' 
Summit of the Americas
Apr 15, 2012 7:45 AM CDT

Obama: Drug 'Legalization Is Not the Answer'

Summit leaders increasingly want to end war on drugs

(Newser) - With an election year well under way, President Obama went to the Summit of the Americas in Colombia determined to talk about trade deals and the economy. Unfortunately, many of the other leaders wanted to talk about the failed war on drugs and legalization, reports the LA Times . "In...

FARC Promises to Free Hostages

Colombian rebel group vows to release 10 security force members

(Newser) - FARC promises to release 10 security force members currently held hostage and says it will stop its practice of kidnapping people for ransom, the BBC reports. The announcement comes three months after the Colombian rebel group murdered four hostages and sparked huge protests across Colombia. The group, which bankrolls itself...

FARC No. 2 Jorge Briceno Killed by Colombian Troops
 Colombia Kills FARC's No. 2 
Sep 23, 2010 2:00 PM CDT

Colombia Kills FARC's No. 2

Many think strike will pull rebels back to talks

(Newser) - Colombia has killed FARC's No. 2 leader and longtime military commander, striking what President Juan Manuel Santos today called "the most crushing blow against the FARC in its entire history"—a 46-year-long struggle. Colombia's military began raining bombs on a major FARC base Monday, followed by ground combat...

Rebel Leader Killed in Colombia

27 die in raid on FARC camp

(Newser) - Guerrilla leader Sixto Cabana was among 27 rebels killed in a raid on a camp near the Ecuadoran border, Colombian officials announced. Cabana, who had been a member of the FARC rebel group for over 25 years, was a senior commander in the organization and was wanted in the US...

Colombia, Venezuela Patch Up Relations

Neighbors had been feuding over rebels, border

(Newser) - Venezuela and Colombia have agreed to kiss and make up after a recent feud that at one point had Hugo Chavez lining the border with troops. Chavez met with newly-minted Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos yesterday to proclaim their newfound friendship. The countries will form joint committees to iron out...

Colombian Rebel Leader Rumored Dead
Colombian Rebel Leader Rumored Dead
May 24, 2008 5:48 PM CDT

Colombian Rebel Leader Rumored Dead

'Sure Shot' founded Marxist FARC more than 40 years ago

(Newser) - Columbian rebel leader Manuel Marulanda Velez is dead, according to an interview with an official in a weekly magazine, AFP reports. The elusive FARC leader, known as “Sure Shot,” helped start the Marxist rebel group in the 1960s to battle Colombia's conservative government. He was rumored to have...

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