In November 2016, the government and FARC rebels signed an agreement ending five decades of guerrilla war, yet peace remains elusive as new armed groups have stepped in to compete for territory and illicit businesses. To defend the gains of the peace process and stop a new cycle of conflict from taking hold, the state must redress the inequality underlying social discontent, make peace with Colombia’s last major insurgency, the ELN, and design security strategies that put protecting people first. Crisis Group has worked on Colombia’s conflicts since 2002, publishing over 40 reports and briefings and meeting hundreds of times with all parties in support of inclusive peace efforts. We monitor the FARC deal’s progress and carry out field research on issues ranging from new patterns of armed conflict to Colombia’s relations with its troubled neighbour, Venezuela.
Organised crime is flourishing in the jungle expanse trisected by the borders of Brazil, Colombia and Peru, putting the populations and ecosystems of the Amazon’s heartland at serious risk. With donor aid, the three states should act fast before the illegal activity does irreversible damage.
Govt announced plans to open talks with two armed criminal groups, including Gaitanista Army (EGC), while ceasefire with ELN expired; clashes between rival EMC factions intensified.
Govt and National Liberation Army (ELN) failed to extend ceasefire. Ceasefire between govt and ELN 3 Aug expired, with sides unable to reach agreement to extend terms. ELN continued to insist that talks, frozen since May, can only resume when govt meets list of demands, including removal of ELN from list of “Organised Armed Groups”; insurgency rejects designation, arguing it is a political organisation. Peace Commissioner Otty Patiño 19 Aug said move would have legal consequences, while military warned it would limit their ability to use lethal force against group. ELN late Aug resumed combat against state, attacking police stations and blowing up oil pipelines in Arauca department. Meanwhile, ELN 12-19 Aug imposed “armed strike” in five southernmost municipalities of Chocó department amid threat from Gaitanista Army of Colombia (EGC) (previously Gaitanista Self-Defence Forces of Colombia), with 50,000 people experiencing some form of confinement. ELN also faced pressure from EGC and EMC in Bolívar and Arauca departments.
Govt announced new peace dialogues with two armed criminal groups. Govt 5 Aug made public July resolution opening dialogue with EGC, country’s largest armed criminal organisation, which could open opportunities to de-escalate regional conflicts between different armed groups. Govt 8 Aug published similar resolution dated one week earlier authorising talks with Conquistador Self Defence Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN), regional outfit present along Atlantic coast. In contrast to negotiations with insurgencies that are legally considered to be political, like ELN, talks will focus on improving conditions in areas of armed group presence and working toward demobilisation.
Clashes between EMC factions escalated. Clashes intensified between rival factions of FARC dissident group known as EMC, notably in Tolima and Huila departments, and between faction led by Iván Mordisco and military following collapse of ceasefire in July. Mordisco 21 Aug also declared war in Amazon region on faction led by alias Calarcá (which remains in talks with govt), raising risk of clashes there (see Amazon).
The closer an armed group is to the population [in Colombia], the harder it is to move toward peace, because they are ever more a part of society.
The trend of violence against ex-combatants [in Colombia] is a strong deterrent to disarmament.
Violence in Colombia has long come from combats between illegal groups, and from the pressure they exert on civilians.
State presence [in Panama] overly focuses on border control and does not prioritise the protection of migrants.
The ELN [in Colombia] has made very clear they have no intention of ceasing their economic activities which includes kidnapping.
By the time the Colombian state signed a peace accord with the former FARC rebels [in 2016], kidnapping nearly disappeared … But in recent years that trend has reversed.
In this video, Bram Ebus, Crisis Group's Andes Region expert delves into the rise of organised crime in the vast jungle region where the borders of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru converge.
As part of the 2016 peace deal, the Colombian government promised support to ex-combatants as they re-entered civilian society. Reintegration camps were supposed to aid in this process. As Crisis Group expert Glaeldys González reports, support has fallen short, especially for ex-combatants with disabilities.
On the Horizon sounds the alarm about conflicts and crises that may emerge over the next three to six months. It identifies key actors and dates to watch in support of global conflict prevention efforts.
In this video, Crisis Group's Senior Analyst for Colombia Elizabeth Dickinson talks with communities living in areas with a strong presence of the Gaitanista Self-Defence Force.
The Gaitanistas, Colombia’s largest and richest armed and criminal group, remain outside the government’s initiative for dialogue with all the country’s armed organisations. To avoid jeopardising other peace processes and to protect civilians, Bogotá should seek gradual talks with the Gaitanistas, while maintaining security pressure.
Organised crime has infiltrated the Amazon basin, seeking land for growing coca, rivers for drug trafficking and veins of gold underground. These groups are endangering the rainforest and the safety of those attempting to defend it. It is imperative that regional governments take protective measures.
In this video, personal narratives from migrants, smugglers, and locals shed light on the perilous journey through the Darién Gap, a treacherous migration route between Central and South America marked by criminal control.
Migrants from far and wide are trekking northward through the Darién Gap, a dense jungle where they face dangers including criminal predation. Steps to improve law enforcement, ease crises in countries of origin and provide more humanitarian aid would push policy in the right direction.
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