Colombian rebels abandon arms

The ex-fighters then become charges of the Interior Ministry for up to 18 months. While living in group homes, where they can bring their families, they learn vocations such as carpentry or breadmaking. Some receive high school degrees or learn to read and write. Those who complete the program receive a stipend of about $2,000. One group of 20 ex-FARC members founded a fruit-pulp company that exports to the US, and is fairly successful, Peñate says.

But former M-19 guerrilla Antonio Navarro Wolff, now a senator, says it is "difficult" to demobilize individuals rather than groups because of lingering threats from their former comrades in arms. "[The reinsertion program] is not going to end the war," Mr. Wolff said. "There are too many expectations."

He says it is important to make a distinction between individual desertions and peace accords, in which entire groups like his were reintegrated into society in the early 1990s.

"We are far from reinserting them into a permanent life," Wolf explains. "They cannot go home" because of the dangers facing them and their families. "It is very important, the link with their families," he says.

Indeed, the security of their families was uppermost in the minds of ex-fighters here in Pereira and in group homes in Bogotá. The government says it will help protect them, but many have large families, and government resources are scarce. Identity changes are rare and are provided only for a mid- or high-level commander with key information.

At the governor's office in Pereira, 12 surrendering paramilitaries entered the room wearing black facemasks. The 10 FARC members sitting across the aisle wore nothing to shield their faces, except one who had tried to escape and whose wife was brutally killed as a result.

Martha Lucia Ramírez, Colombia's defense minister, greeted each ex-warrior. They then all sang Colombia's national anthem. "The responsibility of Colombian society is to welcome you," Ms. Ramírez said emphatically. "You can become good people."

Before leaving, Ramírez once again shook the hand of each ex-enemy. The ex-FARC members then shook hands with their former enemies, the paramilitaries, as if at the end of nothing more than a tough game of soccer.

The ex-fighters were allowed to ask questions of Peñate and were blessed by a priest before embarking on their journey. After picking up backpacks containing their few personal effects, they boarded a plane to Bogotá. Ex-FARC and paramilitaries sat together, along with journalists and government ministers. Many had never been on a plane, nor seen the capital city of 7 million.

"I am very happy to be here," said "Pepe," a former paramilitary fighter who gave only his war alias. Pepe deserted with several fighters after his second commander was killed by his first.

"I would like to move forward - to work," says Pepe. "I would like to be free. That is my dream."

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