Portugal’s president on Tuesday affirmed the European Union’s backing of Colombia’s peace process with rebel group FARC during a state visit to the Latin American nation.
“Colombia will always be able to count on Portugal, as with the rest of the European Union, to support the peace talks in making progress as quickly as possible,” stated Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva. “Peace is, without a doubt, fundamental for the consolidation of democracy, but also the development and the improvement of the wellbeing of its people,” the Portuguese head of state explained during his ongoing state visit to Colombia.
Cavaco Silva also praised Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos for his role in the progress of the peace talks.
“President Juan Manuel Santos has been a strong leader and in Portugal and all over Europe we have been aware of the Colombian citizens’ great demonstration in favor of peace,” the Portuguese president claimed.
Cavaco Silva was likely referring to the peace marches in Colombia on April 9, when hundreds of thousands gathered in the streets to show their support for peace negotiations with the FARC in Havana, Cuba. Reports of the number of protesters involved in the marches differ wildly, with government supporters claiming there were over a million people present, a claim which the opposition strongly disputed.
MORE: Colombia government says million took part in Bogota peace march
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- Presidente de Portugal ofrece apoyo al proceso de paz en Colombia (Presidencia de la Republica)
