Colombia referendum rejects peace deal with FARC guerrillas

[Marksman_91]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/02/colombia-referendum-rejects-peace-deal-with-farc

Colombians have rejected a peace deal to end 52 years of war with Farc guerrillas, throwing the country into confusion about its future.

With counting completed from 98% of polling stations, the no vote led with 50.23% to 49.76%, a difference of 61,000 votes.

The verdict on the deal between the government of Juan Manuel Santos and the Farc reached after four years of intense negotiations means it cannot now be implemented...

I'm actually genuinely surprised. I honestly thought the YES vote would win, especially after the polls gave it such a huge advantage in election forecasts. But then again, only 37% of the people voted. When you take that into consideration, how the heck do you expect ANY poll is gonna be accurate. After this and Brexit, I hope to God this isn't a reflection of how the US election will turn out.

[regnaD kciN]

1. That's what has me worried…

So far, twice this year, elections which were projected to be comfortable wins for the forces of moderation and progress wound up as "surprise" wins for reflexive, unthinking nationalism pushed by the far right. Are we sure it can't happen again?

[Bacchus4.0]

2. No mandatory voting in Colombia and a sweetheart deal for the FARC

Colombians rejected giving the FARC immunity for their war crimes and simply were going to be handed 10 seats in congress. That said its hard to tell what will happen now.