Colombia rejects FARC peace deal: What the referendum results mean and what’s next

The national referendum in Colombia voted down the government’s peace deal with leftist rebels less than a week after President Juan Manuel Santos signed the historic accord before an audience that included several heads of state and the United Nations secretary-general. Here’s a look at the results and what lies ahead:

WHAT HAPPENED?

1:13 Peace agreement between Colombian government and FARC rebels rejected in close vote

• Peace agreement between Colombian government and FARC rebels rejected in close vote
• Colombian government, FARC rebels sign historic treaty
• The end of an era for Colombia’s FARC rebels?
• Colombian government signs historic peace treaty with FARQ rebels

Previous Video

Next Video

Opinion polls had predicted the “yes” vote would win by an almost two-to-one margin. But with almost all ballots counted, 50.2 percent of Colombians who voted Sunday opposed the deal and 49.8 percent favored it. That was a difference of less than 57,000 votes out 13 million ballots.

HURRICANE MATTHEW?

0:42 Some Colombians rejoice, others wipe away tears as peace agreement rejected with FARC rebels

• Some Colombians rejoice, others wipe away tears as peace agreement rejected with FARC rebels
• Haiti, Cuba prepare for Hurricane Matthew, Jamaica cleaning up
• Waterspout forms near Jamaica as Hurricane Matthew inches closer
• Hurricane Matthew most powerful storm to hit Caribbean in a decade
• Hurricane Matthew charges toward Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba

Previous Video

Next Video

Turnout was always expected to be low, around the 40 percent seen in recent congressional elections. But it was even lower, around 25 percent, in several states along the Caribbean coast that favored the accord by large margins due to heavy rainfall caused by Hurricane Matthew in the Caribbean.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Opponents of the accord, led by powerful former President Alvaro Uribe, said if the accord failed to pass the government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia should return to the negotiating table. Opponents specifically want to renegotiate provisions that would spare jail time for rebels who confess their crimes and give the FARC 10 seats in congress through 2026. Santos says he will send his negotiators to Cuba to confer with FARC leaders. He also says he will consult with opponents of the accord. The FARC, who never wanted the referendum in the first place, has reiterated its commitment to finding peace, without saying if it will renegotiate. Both Santos and the FARC say the accord as negotiated is the best one possible for Colombia.

WILL FIGHTING RESUME?

The FARC have made clear they want to abandon their half-century armed struggle. For now, a bilateral cease-fire remains in place and neither side is interested in a return to hostilities.

PRESIDENT’S FUTURE:

This is major blow to Santos, who staked his entire presidency on bringing an end to a conflict that has killed 220,000 people and left almost 8 million displaced.