The challenges of negotiating during wartime

In the middle of great expectations in Colombia, on October 18, 2012, in Oslo, the Conversations Table between the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP was officially installed. President Santos was emphatic that this new peace process would take into account the mistakes and successes of the past: not a single millimeter of national territory would be cleared; there would be no cessation of military operations; and negotiations would be based on a realistic agenda with five concrete points. Although there were moments of crisis that threatened the continuity of the conversations, the will of the parties to put an end to a war of more than 50 years was strong enough to overcome them.

The conversations, which were intended to last months, were extended for more than four years, and were supported by Cuba and Norway as guarantors and Venezuela and Chile as accompaniers.