Colombia

The new Colombian government has resolved to curb violence throughout rural areas where guerrillas and criminals hold sway. Its approach – dialogue and security reform – is admirable but risky. Any deal it strikes should seek to halt all the types of coercion the illicit groups employ.

Colombia’s government and its largest remaining rebel group met in Mexico City on Monday to resume peace talks aimed at resolving a conflict dating back to the 1960s.

[…] In a joint statement, the negotiators agreed to negotiate a bilateral ceasefire once formal talks resume in Mexico on February 13.

Colombia’s government and the ELN agreed to an “extraordinary meeting” after the guerrilla group rejected a ceasefire that was announced by President Gustavo Petro.

In 2022, the armed conflict in Colombia worsened and led to increased levels of violence that affected at least 12 departments, most notably in the Pacific region and along the borders with Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

[…] “The Council’s decision today to authorize the expansion of the Mission’s mandate to include the Agreement’s comprehensive rural reform and the ethnic chapter in its verification tasks will enable the Mission to increase its contribution to peace in Colombia,” said Mr. Massieu [the head of the UN Verification Mission], speaking after its unanimous adoption of a Resolution 2673. 

The government of Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said Wednesday the security forces will resume attacks against ELN guerrillas. The decision followed an announcement of the guerrillas in which they refused to an immediate bilateral ceasefire together with four other illegal armed groups.

Colombia’s largest remaining guerrilla group has contradicted government claims that they had agreed a national ceasefire, in a setback to plans to bring peace to the Andean nation after decades of violence.

The agreement between the Colombian Government and the five largest remaining armed groups there provides “renewed hope for comprehensive peace” into the new year, said the UN chief in a statement released by his Spokesperson late on Sunday.

[…] Six years after the signing of the Final Agreement, crucial sections have been unevenly implemented, despite their potential to address the underlying causes of the conflict and redress historic inequalities.