Colombians reject peace deal with FARC rebels

Voters in Colombia have rejected a peace deal between the government and FARC rebels, which would have ended the longest running armed conflict in the Western Hemisphere.

With 98 percent of polling stations reporting their results Sunday night, the "no" vote has 50.23 percent, compared to 49.76 percent for "yes." Before the vote, polls showed the "yes" side with 66 percent support. It took four years for the peace negotiations to lead to a deal, and while campaigning, President Juan Manuel Santos said there was no other option than to approve it, otherwise Colombia will return to war with the FARC fighters. Opponents have said by rejecting the deal, the government can renegotiate for something better.

Under the agreement, 5,800 FARC rebels would have been disarmed, and leaders who confessed to their crimes would have avoided going to jail. It is uncertain if a bilateral ceasefire, in effect since the end of August, will remain in place. Over the past 52 years, 220,000 people have died in the fighting.

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