McGovern Applauds Final Colombia Peace Agreement

Washington, DC, August 24, 2016

Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), a senior House Democrat and leading voice in Congress for human rights, applauded the news that negotiators from the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group will make a historic announcement tonight to end an armed conflict that began in 1964.

“Today marks a historic step forward for peace in Colombia. This groundbreaking agreement is the culmination of years of hard work and would not have been possible without the strong commitment of the Colombian government and FARC guerillas as they worked to achieve a lasting solution,” Congressman McGovern said. “Following more than 50 years of conflict and suffering which has scarred nearly every family in Colombia, peace is no longer a fantasy. At the heart of this process and essential to its success has been the Colombian people themselves who never stopped believing that peace was possible.

“In addition to the negotiating teams of both sides, I want to express my respect for President Santos, who has demonstrated political courage in initiating and pursuing these negotiations,” McGovern added. “I also want to express my gratitude for the important roles played by Cuba, Norway, Chile and Venezuela, U.S. Special Envoy to Colombia Bernard Aronson and the German and European Union Special Envoys in providing crucial support at key moments in the negotiations.” 

“As a proud partner for peace, the United States must work with the international community to do all it can to support the successful implantation of this historic agreement,” McGovern concluded. “We must stand with the Colombian people now to help them achieve a just and lasting peace and the brighter future they dream of for themselves and their children.”

Congressman McGovern has long been a leading voice in Congress supporting the push for peace in Colombia. In December 2015, Congressman McGovern co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution backing the Colombian peace process and in February 2016, Congressman McGovern joined nearly 60 House lawmakers in urging President Obama to do all he could to support the ongoing negotiations in Colombia as both parties worked toward a peace agreement.

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