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'Seeking Peace' Episode 4: Verónica Zaragovia and Laura Dixon on Colombia's FARC

In this territorial space of training and reincorporation (ETCR), in La Guajira, there are 222 members of the former guerilla group who, despite the anxiety and uncertainty their experience these days, still have faith in a sustainable transition to civil life. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

In this territorial space of training and reincorporation (ETCR), in La Guajira, there are 222 members of the former guerilla group who, despite the anxiety and uncertainty their experience these days, still have faith in a sustainable transition to civil life. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

In this episode of the Seeking Peace podcast, the show brings listeners to the front lines of the peace process in Colombia. In 2016, after more than 50 years of war against the government, Colombia’s largest left-wing rebel group — the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC — agreed to lay down their weapons. They had started fighting in the 1960s over land rights for the poor, but became known for bombings and kidnappings. Now that the rebels have ceased fighting, former insurgents are working to remake their lives. Reporters and Pulitzer Center grantees Verónica Zaragovia and Laura Dixon spent months meeting former rebels, and they tell the story of two women whose lives look drastically different now that the armed struggle is over.

Also in this episode, you’ll hear from the first woman to be elected president in any African country, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. President Sirleaf took office at a pivotal time in Liberia’s history, as it was emerging from a decades-long conflict. As president, she successfully led her country to a sustained peace, which is an incredible feat. Half of all peace agreements break down within the first five years. Seeking Peace spoke to Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf about how she and the women of Liberia did it.

Victoria Sandino is a Colombian politician and ex-guerilla. Since August 2017, she had been a member of the National Directorate of the Revolutionary Alternative Force of the Common. She is part of the commission for the implementation of the peace accords. She was a commander of the Armed Forces Revolutionary of Colombia until is dissolution in 2017. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

Victoria Sandino is a Colombian politician and ex-guerilla. Since August 2017, she had been a member of the National Directorate of the Revolutionary Alternative Force of the Common. She is part of the commission for the implementation of the peace accords. She was a commander of the Armed Forces Revolutionary of Colombia until is dissolution in 2017. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

Bogotá, Colombia. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

Bogotá, Colombia. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

The factory is one of the productive projects promoted in this area. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

The factory is one of the productive projects promoted in this area. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

Elisa Castro is a former member of the FARC. She is now one of the coordinators of the Memory Center of Pondores ETCR. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

Elisa Castro is a former member of the FARC. She is now one of the coordinators of the Memory Center of Pondores ETCR. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

A former FARC guerrilla walks in a banana plantation. This type of crop is part of the productive projects promoted in this ETCR. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

A former FARC guerrilla walks in a banana plantation. This type of crop is part of the productive projects promoted in this ETCR. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

Pondores, Guajira. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018. 

The entrance into the zone of reincorporation of the ex-combatants of the FARC in the area known as Pondores. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.

The entrance into the zone of reincorporation of the ex-combatants of the FARC in the area known as Pondores. Image by Fabio Cuttica. Colombia, 2018.