Colombia’s peace process took a significant hit as the government suspended a ceasefire with a FARC dissident group, citing security concerns and raising fears of renewed violence.
The Colombian government, under President Gustavo Petro, has suspended a ceasefire agreement with a faction of the ‘Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)’ guerrilla group. This decision comes as part of efforts to address security concerns in regions affected by armed groups.
The FARC dissident group broke away from the main FARC faction in 2016, signing a peace pact with the government to bring an end to five decades of fighting. However, some older rebel groups, as well as new ones that emerged later, continue to mobilize, posing a significant security risk for local populations.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) is a Marxist guerrilla organization that has been active in Colombia since 1964.
Founded by Pedro Antonio Marín, also known as 'Manuel Marulanda Vélez', FARC was initially formed to fight against the Colombian government and its allies.
Over the years, FARC has been involved in various conflicts, including a five-decade-long civil war with the Colombian military.
In 2016, FARC signed a peace agreement with the Colombian government, officially disarming and demobilizing its fighters.
The ceasefire between the government and the FARC dissident group expired earlier this week, with an extension expected but ultimately not agreed upon in time. President Petro stated that he did not extend the bilateral and temporary ceasefire with respect to the civilian population, emphasizing that this decision does not imply the end of peace talks with the group.
Both parties now have 72 hours to relocate to areas where they will assume their own security and protection measures. The ceasefire had been in effect since December 2023 and was extended several times, but its collapse has raised concerns about a potential resurgence of hostilities.
President Petro’s government has committed to achieving ‘total peace‘ through negotiations with various illegal armed groups. However, many fighters and armed groups reject peace with the Colombian government, casting doubt on the success of these efforts.
The suspension of the ceasefire has been criticized by a non-governmental peace organization, Indepaz, which describes it as a ‘serious setback for communities affected by the armed conflict.’ The collapse of the ceasefire is seen as paving the way for hostilities to resume and a breakdown in social, environmental, and economic programs in areas with weak or non-existent institutional presence.
The suspension of the ceasefire agreement between the Colombian government and the FARC dissident group highlights the complexities and challenges of achieving peace in regions affected by armed conflict. As President Petro’s administration continues to navigate these complex issues, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact ongoing peace talks with other armed groups.
