The Participation Breakthrough in Colombia

By Oliver Kaplan

Today I have an Op-Ed published on CNN.com’s Global Public Square, “Can Colombia build on its democratic opening?”

Since today is the one-year anniversary of the start of the peace talks with the FARC rebels in Colombia, it’s an appropriate moment to take stock of the progress. I note that the recent breakthrough on the agenda item of political participation is a reason for great optimism, especially because of how inclusive the negotiations have been — these are not your grandfather’s peace talks (which, to end the 1950s conflict known as The Violence, had much less public involvement). To keep history from repeating itself and prevent renewed conflict, I also discuss the challenges associated with political participation that will have to be confronted to make a final peace agreement last.