Citizens of the war-weary country of Colombia narrowly rejected a peace deal Monday that would have ended more than 50 years of conflict between the government and the rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC. The outcome stunned leaders in Colombia, who signed a peace accord with the leaders of the guerrilla group last week and expected voters to ratify it. Fighting has claimed more than 200,000 lives and displaced millions since the 1960s. The ratification failed by an extremely slim margin, with many of those who voted “no” saying the agreement was too easy on members of the FARC. “We have all been victims of the FARC and this victory is calling to the government to renegotiate the agreements, not to hand over the country to the FARC,” said Claudia, a “No” supporter. “This is what Colombia wants.” The United States has long supported efforts to reach a peace agreement. “The good news is that all sides, including the voters, I think, are still focused on trying to reach this negotiated peace, and that certainly is within the national security interests of the United States to end this war,” said White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest. A cease-fire remains in effect while Colombian and the FARC leaders determine a way to move forward.