The first test is a referendum this weekend in which voters are being asked to ratify or reject the deal. With the signing of a historic peace accord between the government and leftist rebels, Colombians must now show even more determination to implement an ambitious accord that will test their capacity for reconciliation and willingness to address long-standing inequality. CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA—After a half-century of bloody combat and four years of tense peace negotiations, now the hard work begins. The stiff domestic opposition, which will make implementation even tougher, contrasts with almost universal international acclaim abroad for the accord. For all of the challenges ahead, though, many Colombians who thought peace would never come were carried away with emotion.

Source: thestar September 27, 2016 18:22 UTC