Lanny and others with Columbian connections - ceasefire?

[Lady Florida.]

I'm curious how Columbians and Columbian expats feel about this peace agreement. 

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36611952

 

-Do they think it will hold?

 

-Are they hopeful? 

 

-It doesn't actually take effect until the final accord is signed, probably around the end of July. Is there any fighting expected before that happens? Or has fighting been winding down anyway.

 

-I'm hearing the former rebels might have trouble getting jobs because companies might be leery about hiring them. Are their fears (the ex-Farc fighters fears, not employers) warranted?

 

 

Any other insights to help us outsiders understand the peace accord?

 

[Lanny]

I cannot fully answer the questions you asked, on WTM, without this becoming very political and without comparing it to things that have happened in the USA.  Very bad. Colombia has a very weak President now.  Sellout.  Colombia and Colombians deserve better. Sad for the many millions of decent people in Colombia.

[chiguirre]

Dh has done business in Colombia for the last 20 years. Ever since the natural death of Tiro Fijo  in 2008 and then the elimination of Mono Jojoy  and the capture of a bunch of computers and thumb drives in 2010, the FARC has been dwindling. Bogota is much safer now than it was even 10 years ago. Kidnappings are no longer rampant. You don't have to worry about bombings anymore.

 

I do think it will be hard for the disarming FARC fighters to reintegrate into society. They've been living in the jungle and living off drug running, kidnapping and demanding protection money for decades. I can't imagine anyone will be willing to hire them. I think Timochenko is dreaming if he thinks he can launch a mainstream political party (or at least I hope he's dreaming...)

[Lady Florida.]

Dh has done business in Colombia for the last 20 years. Ever since the natural death of Tiro Fijo  in 2008 and then the elimination of Mono Jojoy  and the capture of a bunch of computers and thumb drives in 2010, the FARC has been dwindling. Bogota is much safer now than it was even 10 years ago. Kidnappings are no longer rampant. You don't have to worry about bombings anymore.

 

I do think it will be hard for the disarming FARC fighters to reintegrate into society. They've been living in the jungle and living off drug running, kidnapping and demanding protection money for decades. I can't imagine anyone will be willing to hire them. I think Timochenko is dreaming if he thinks he can launch a mainstream political party (or at least I hope he's dreaming...)

 

There was a discussion on NPR today about how the peace deal is going to affect the drug trade but I was in the car and arrived at my appointment just as they started to discuss it. ( I figured I'd try and track down the transcript later today or tomorrow, because I did want to hear what they were saying.

[Lanny]

FARC won and the tens of millions of decent Colombians lost. I will let chiquirre explain to you who the FARC really are and what they really have done. They are not the "Robin Hood" people that their fans in the EU think they are. Drug running, kidnapping, extortion, bombings, etc.  They will receive tons of money from this deal.  

[Lady Florida.]

FARC won and the tens of millions of decent Colombians lost. I will let chiquirre explain to you who the FARC really are and what thhey really have done. They are not the "Robin Hood" people that their fans in the EU think they are. Drug running, kidnapping, extortion, bombings, etc. They will receive tons of money from this deal.

 

I know who they are. I was just wondering if they really will change their ways, and how the average Columbian feels about it.

[PrincessMommy]

I cannot fully answer the questions you asked, on WTM, without this becoming very political and without comparing it to things that have happened in the USA.  Very bad. Colombia has a very weak President now.  Sellout.  Colombia and Colombians deserve better. Sad for the many millions of decent people in Colombia.

 

There's a new politics Social Group here on WTM.   It's not just for US politics... we've discussed Brexit and Australian politics so far.

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/groups/263-wtm-politics/

 

I'd love to hear your opinions there.