After four years of dialogue, the Colombian government and the FARC rebel group have signed a historic peace accord, putting an end to more than five decades of conflict.
This announcement was made at the Cuban capital, Havana, where peace talks were launched in November 2012.
Both sides have agreed to work together to address social exclusion, deliver justice to the victims of the conflict and build a stable and enduring peace.
“Today I can say – from the bottom of my heart – that I have fulfilled the mandate that you gave me,” President of Juan Manuel Santos told Reuters.
“Colombians: the decision is in your hands. Never before have our citizens had within their reach the key to their future,” he said.
The conflict has killed an estimated 220,000 people and displaced millions.
Meanwhile, the United States President, Barack Obama on a phone call congratulated his Colombian counterpart, Juan Santos, on the deal.
“The president recognised this historic day as a critical juncture in what will be a long process to fully implement a just and lasting peace agreement, that can advance security and prosperity for the Colombian people,” said the White House in a statement.
