More than 20 leftist rebels and Colombian right-wing militia fighters turned themselves in Tuesday, joining a growing number of deserters taking advantage of a government rehabilitation program. This year, more than 500 members of rebel groups and right-wing militiamen have deserted. Some 1,200 deserted last year. The deserters can enter a government rehabilitation program and obtain pardons for crimes committed during the war, now in its 39th year. The government welcomed Tuesday’s 22 deserters with a ceremony in western Risaralda state. Ten were from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and 12 from the paramilitaries, including a woman. Full Story