And in the context of a delicate process that could stretch well into the next decade, there is always the fear that, as has happened in previous attempts at peace, a particularly rash and violent act by one of the armed factions will bring the whole process crashing down.

ECONOMIST: Colombians dream of peace

"It certainly doesn't help a police department that has a history of what looks like brutality, and then they act in a way that looks rash and unthinking on TV, " North added.

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