Colombian voters reject FARC peace deal

Colombian voters struck down a peace deal with Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, aka the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Columbia President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC leader Timoleon Jimenez signed the deal last week after nearly four years of negotiations.

According to BBC News, the pact would have created special courts to try crimes committed during the conflict. Those who confessed would face more lenient sentences and would have avoided serving time in conventional prisons.

Opponents said that was a step too far. Also, they balked at the government's plan to pay demobilized FARC rebels a monthly stipend and offer help to those wanting to start a business.

FARC is Columbia's largest rebel group. They were founded in 1964 as the armed wing of the Communist Party.

Read more from BBC News.