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FARC rebels in Colombian jungle

Rare look at a camp belonging to fighters in what could be their last days there before a landmark peace deal is signed.

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Rebels from the Eastern Bloc of the FARC exercise in the early mornings with their rifles. These could be the last days in the jungle for the rebel organisation that has been at war with the Colombian government for 51 years. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
Published On 12 Dec 2015

The Colombian government is close to signing a historic peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group.

After 51 years of often brutal conflict and three previous failed negotiations, FARC fighters seem finally ready to give up their guns.

FARC and the government have been negotiating for three years in Havana, Cuba.

Read more: Meeting Colombia’s FARC rebels

So far, they have reached a deal on three of the five points on the agenda: rural development, the future political participation of FARC, and how to deal with the illegal drug trade.

But most important, they recently announced a deal on the thorniest issue of transitional justice, which details the way those responsible for crimes against humanity will be punished.

It is a breakthrough that opens the door to a final agreement.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos says he expects to sign the peace deal before the end of March, and a full bilateral ceasefire is in the works.

However, important details remain that need to be ironed out.

Al Jazeera gained rare access to a camp belonging to the Eastern Bloc of FARC, the strongest military faction, in what could be their last days in the jungle.

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The morning call is issued at 4:50am in FARC camps. After the exercises, rebels gather under tents to sing the organisation's hymn. The group was founded in 1964 to fight on behalf of poor farmers and against what they see as a ruling corrupt and violent elite. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
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With a unilateral ceasefire in place a dozen leaders of the FARC Eastern Bloc gathered at this camp to define a strategy for peace. Among them is Aldinever Morantes (fourth from left), part of the Bloc High Command, and Ruben Zamora (fifth from left), one of the peace negotiators in Havana who was sent back to coordinate the effort to educate FARC foot soldiers on the talks. Many of them haven't seen each other for years, but they are trusting the government will keep its word on the suspension of air strikes. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
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FARC peace negotiator Ruben Zamora briefs a group of rebels on the agreements at the talks. On this day, he was instructing them on the joint deal to find the over 25,000 people who disappeared during the conflict. The rebels will reveal the location of the bodies of victims of the conflict, as will the government. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
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Many fighters require basic education. FARC is setting up mathematics and grammar classes for those in need. In the photo, 19-year-old rebel Laura goes over her notes with an associate. She joined the FARC at 15 when her father was killed by paramilitaries for his leftist sympathies. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
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Laura starts a camp stove at dawn. In recent years, FARC has usually operated with smaller units. They pitch a new camp almost every night to avoid detection by the military and avoid being hit by air strikes. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
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Guerima, 35, shares a piece of arepa with his partner Angirlady. Guerima has been with the FARC for 20 years. He survived various bombardments, and was wounded many times. He almost lost both hands. If a peace deal is signed, they hope to have children next year. FARC women have not been allowed to get pregnant during the conflict. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
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Fidel listens to a morning briefing while on the move with his associates. Commanders discuss news items with the fighters every morning. This day, they discussed allegations that relatives of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro were involved in drug trafficking, which the commander considered to be US propaganda. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
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A teddy bear decorates a rebel's backpack. Living on the move in difficult conditions, the rebels have few belongings besides their basic provisions. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
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In larger camps, when security conditions allow it, the rebels set up makeshift but complex structures, like this bath area with a washing table, in just a few hours. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
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No mobile phones or other transmitting devices are allowed in the camps to avoid detection. But rebels learn how to build modems to communicate with other divisions and the FARC's secretariat. Two or three rebels then walk a few hours away from the camp to communicate without giving up the camp's location. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
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A FARC rebel preparing breakfast in the pre-dawn light. At night, lights are not permitted to avoid being detected. Some rebels dig underground shelters to be able to read. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]
Please Do Not Use/FARC Rebels
Rebels guard the camps against potential soldier activity. FARC has promised to demobilise 60 days after the eventual signing of a peace agreement. [Fabio Cuttica/Al Jazeera]