The Americas

Colombia rebel leaders travel to Cartagena for peace signing

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Rodrigo Londono, also known as Timochenko, the top leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, raises his fist as he boards a helicopter in Yari Plains, southern Colombia, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. Londono and Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos are expected to sign a peace accord to end a more than five decades civil conflict in the Caribbean city of Cartagena on Sept. 26. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) (The Associated Press)

Rodrigo Londono, also known as Timochenko, the top leader of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, second from right embraces rebel leader Carlos Alonso Lozada, before boarding a helicopter in Yari Plains, southern Colombia, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. Londono and Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos are expected to sign a peace accord to end a more than five decades civil conflict in the Caribbean city of Cartagena on Sept. 26. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) (The Associated Press)

Rebels and family members wave as a helicopter transporting rebel leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, takes off from Yari Plains, Colombia, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. FARC top leader Rodrigo Londono, known as Timochenko, and other rebel leaders are traveling to the Caribbean city of Cartagena where they are expected to sign a peace accord with Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos, to end a more than five decades civil conflict on Sept. 26.(AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) (The Associated Press)

Top Colombian rebel leaders have begun leaving the country's remote plains for the Caribbean city of Cartagena, where they will sign a peace accord with the government next week.

A helicopter operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross transported two groups of a total of about 40 commanders with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia out of the Yari Plains for the Monday ceremony.

The FARC's maximum leader Timoleon Jimenez said peace would begin "on Monday, when President (Juan Manuel) Santos and I shake hands."

The ceremony is expected to be attended by 15 presidents from around Latin America and leaders of international organizations.

A nationwide referendum on the accord will take place on Oct. 2.