Colombia celebrates peace and prosperity at independence anniversary

Published : Jul 25, 2016 - 00:16 Updated : Jul 25, 2016 - 00:19

In late June, moving on from five decades of fratricidal warfare, the Colombian government and armed guerilla group FARC agreed to a cease-fire as part of a peace process that had dragged on for nearly four years.

In Havana, Cuba, under the watchful eyes of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and five Latin American heads of state, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC leader Rodrigo Londono inked the fourth point of the six-part pact, which would disarm and disband the crime syndicate with more than 6,800 bandits across the thickly forested country.

With the rest of the deal -- compensating victims and implementing the accord -- likely to be reached and effected through a popular referendum in the coming months, Colombia is “well on its way” toward stable peace and prosperity, according to Colombian Ambassador Tito Saul Pinilla.

Colombian Ambassador Tito Saul Pinilla (second from right) speaks at a National Day reception at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Tuesday. In the picture are Korean Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Woo Tae-hee (second from left) and Rep. Shim Jae-kwon, president of the National Assembly Committee of Foreign Affairs and Unification. (Joel Lee / The Korea Herald)

“For the first time in our history, we celebrate our National Day in peace with a bright future ahead,” the envoy told The Korea Herald last week in an interview. “It is a historic moment for our country, at a time we mark our independence from colonial Spain that started 206 years ago. With the end of a 52-year conflict, we can now prepare for a new era of peace.”

The ambassador believes the keys to the success of peace were the state’s ironclad resolve to quell the insurgency and financial, institutional and military support from outside, chiefly the U.S., which architected the “Plan Colombia” counterterrorism initiative.

“President Santos recently thanked our soldiers for fighting through the difficult struggle,” Pinilla, who helmed the Colombian Air Force as a four-star general and commander, emphasized. “The cartel was simply overpowered by our military. Realizing the impossibility of overtaking our country, they surrendered and were demobilized.”

Arguing “there will be no impunity,” he added, “Every accomplice through the ranks will pay a price. They will go to jail following trials at special tribunals. The sentences may not be 20 or 30 years, but likely less than that.”

A video recording showing Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos who sent words of gratitude and celebration marking the National Day. (Joel Lee / The Korea Herald)

At a National Day reception on Tuesday, Pinilla stressed the state expenditure that was previously spent on defense and security will now be directed toward national rehabilitation, development and education.

Peace being a prime pillar of government, he argued that Colombia’s historic efforts would strengthen regional security and stability.

Colombia and Korea established their diplomatic relations in 1962. During a presidential summit in Seoul in 2011, the two sides announced their strategic partnership. When Korean President Park Geun-hye visited Colombia in April last year, both governments produced cooperation agreements in defense, electronic commerce, green energy, health care and education, as a follow-up of the 2011 meeting.

On July 15, Bogota and Seoul marked their long-awaited free trade agreement entering into force. It is Colombia’s first FTA with an Asian country, following 46 other FTAs worldwide.

Colombian performing troupe "Fuego en los pies" at the National Day reception. (Joel Lee / The Korea Herald)

“The Colombian economy has recently expanded at over 4.5 percent annually, and our middle class has grown markedly, accounting for over 55 percent of our population,” the envoy asserted.

Colombia also belongs to the Pacific Alliance -- made up of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, with Costa Rica in the process of joining -- which seeks closer integration, development and competition through free trade and investment.

“By investing in Colombia, companies can access, tariff-free, the larger Central and Latin American markets of 630 million people,” Pinilla said.

Noting that education is another national priority, the ambassador said Colombia was vying to be the best educated society in Latin America by 2022. Bogota has provided full scholarships to 10,000 students across the country from low-income families.

“They are now studying at top universities at home and abroad. Some of them will come to Korea,” according to the diplomat.

Colombian performing troupe "Fuego en los pies" at the National Day reception. (Joel Lee / The Korea Herald)

In a following speech, Korean Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Woo Tae-hee highlighted Colombia’s role in helping South Korea survive and achieve success.

“The miracle of the Han River and our astonishing economic development could not have been achieved without Colombia’s help and sacrifice,” he said.

“Colombia and Korea are blood-sealed brothers since the Korean War (1950-53), where Colombia dispatched some 5,000 soldiers.”

As part of the United Nations Forces, 5,314 troops of the Colombian Army Infantry Battalion No. 1 and a naval unit under the Frigate Almirante Padilla fought against invading communists -- 213 were killed in action, 448 were wounded and 28 were taken as prisoners of war.

“Many people compare the FTA to an expressway between two countries, but I see it as a marriage,” Woo remarked concerning the FTA.

“Our dating took around four years for negotiations and another four years of ratification to get each family’s full consent. I am sure many good things and happy days are ahead of us. Our bilateral trade is expected to more than double over the next 10 years.”

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)