Excerpt
SUMMARY: In a surprise vote, the Colombian people narrowly rejected the peace deal with guerrilla group FARC that would have ended Latin America's longest running conflict. After the vote, Colombia's president and the top FARC commander both appealed for calm and reiterated their support for peace. William Brangham speaks with Bernard Aronson, U.S. Special Envoy for Colombian Peace Process.
JUDY WOODRUFF (NewsHour): Now to a major upset in South America.
Yesterday, voters in Colombia rejected a peace deal between their government and the largest rebel group, known as the FARC. It was hoped the deal would put an end to 50-plus years of conflict that's left hundreds of thousands of people dead.
William Brangham has the latest.
WILLIAM BRANGHAM (NewsHour): Sunday's stunning outcome in Colombia touched off celebrations in parts of Bogotá. Voters narrowly rejected a peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, this despite predictions it would win easily.
CLAUDIA, ‘No' Supporter (through translator): We have all been victims of the FARC and this victory is calling to the government to renegotiate the agreements, not to hand over the country to the FARC. It's very emotional. This is what Colombia wants.
WILLIAM BRANGHAM: But yes-voters complained opponents of the peace deal were misguided.
ANTONIO SANGUINO, ‘Yes' supporter (through translator): Fifty percent of the people who went out to vote allowed themselves to be convinced by a message of hate, a message of revenge, a message of keeping us in the past.
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