Peace talks in Colombia saved 5,000 people from being killed or injured last year, according to a report by a local thinktank
Talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels aim to end 50 years of armed conflict which have claimed up to 220,000 lives.
“For the first time we’ve registered a reduction in armed activity. We’ve avoided close to 5,000 dead or injured combatants and civilians because of the negotiations,” said Leon Valencia, director of the Peace and Reconciliation Foundation, which released the report.
“This is an advance, a first glimpse of peace, a sample of what we can achieve if we reach peace,” he added.
Armed actions by rebels were down 40% in 2014, according to the report, while displacement was down 57%.
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