Colombia’s peace deal may face dangerous delays

Significance

The move follows emergency negotiations in the aftermath of the public’s shock rejection of the original deal on October 2. While both the Senate and the House of Representatives voted unanimously in favour of the agreement, they did so without the participation of the right-wing Democratic Centre (CD) party, which walked out of both votes in protest.

Impacts

• A court ruling that another plebiscite is needed to fast-track implementation laws may yet endanger the deal.
• The presence of non-state armed groups other than the FARC will ensure continued violence regardless of the deal.
• The bad press that followed the plebiscite will dampen investor interest, limiting any peace dividend.