Columbian leader Juan Manuel Santos says “Peace is close” in his country’s decades long-war with Marxist FARC rebels.<br /><br /> The message was carried on Twitter where the President announced that, on the way to New York, he would be stopping over in Havana for a key meeting with negotiators trying to end the conflict.<br /><br /> Haré escala en La Habana para reunión clave con negociadores con el fin de acelerar el fin del conflicto. La paz está cerca.— Juan Manuel Santos (@JuanManSantos) 23 Septembre 2015<br /><br /> Cuba has been hosting peace talks since 2012 but this will be President’s first trip there in person to participate. <br /><br /> It is thought he will meet FARC leader Timoleon Jiménez amid reports that two sides have reached a deal on the punishment rebels would face as part of a settlement.<br /><br /> Negotiators have already reached partial accords on land reform, political participation for ex-rebels and an end to the illegal drugs trade. <br /><br /> Latin America’s longest insurgency has killed some 220,000 people and
