The popular Colombian singer Juanes added his support to the peace process on Wednesday while also urging guerrillas to lay down their arms.
Medellin-born Juanes, who recently received a nomination for an MTV Europe award, expressed his support and admiration for President Juan Manuel Santos’ negotiations with the FARC but also acknowledged that there will be a long, hard road ahead.
“If we stop dreaming of peace we are dead,” said Juanes to Caracol Radio, adding that, “it will be very difficult, but the awareness is there.”
The Colombian singer said that this is a historic moment for the country “because of the positivity that can happen.”
President Santos “is putting his political life and his head into this process […] after 50 years it is fair for Colombia,” added Juanes.
Peace talks between the Colombian government and the country’s largest guerrilla group FARC are aimed at bringing an end to the 48-year armed conflict. Negotiations will begin in the Norwegian capital of Oslo in early October and will continue on afterwards in Cuba’s capital Havana.