Colombia court bars rebels guilty of atrocities from public office

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos delivers a speech in Panama City July 25, 2014. REUTERS/Rafael Ibarra

BOGOTA (Reuters) - A Colombian high court ruled on Wednesday that Marxist rebels found guilty of atrocious war crimes cannot hold public office, a decision that may block some FARC leaders from entering politics and complicate negotiations to end five decades of war.

The ruling by the constitutional court throws into doubt agreements reached between the government and leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that laid the groundwork for rebel political participation if the two sides agree on peace terms.