As Colombia approaches its presidential elections, the United Nations Security Council has called on all parties to maintain calm and refrain from violence. The implementation of the historic peace agreement, signed in 2016 between the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP rebel group, is highlighted as crucial. Miroslav Jenča, Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of all participants.
Jenča condemned threats, particularly against presidential candidates, and urged state authorities to guarantee the security of all actors involved in the electoral process. He stated that the Mission will continue to analyze security risks and coordinate preventive measures, as it did during the congressional elections. Jenča added that the Mission’s mandate has been restructured to focus on areas such as the reintegration of ex-combatants, security guarantees, and comprehensive rural reform.
He noted that challenging socioeconomic, infrastructural, and security conditions in rural areas complicate the reintegration of many former combatants in regions where they have settled. Jenča explained that conflicts and illegal economies in these areas create violence and hardship for communities. “The regions where the agreement has not been sufficiently implemented are precisely where the most acute problems persist today,” he stated, emphasizing that the agreement offers a comprehensive roadmap to address both the root causes and consequences of conflict.
Olga Lucia Quintero Sierra, General Coordinator of the Association of Farmers of Catatumbo (ASCAMCAT), described adherence to the historic agreement as a “transformative opportunity” for those living in rural Colombia. Sierra underscored that the agreement’s components are interconnected, and partial or fragmented progress weakens its core essence. Despite a resurgence of violence in Catatumbo, she pointed to “rays of hope” such as social investment, the construction of a new university, and land allocation for rural women. She mentioned that 724 hectares of land have been allocated to 54 women, representing a “possibility to rebuild our lives.”
Sierra asserted, “Peace in our territories is not an abstract concept; it is the real presence of the State in these areas,” signifying a “possibility to live without fear.” She called on the new government to commit to fully implementing the agreement as a national priority. Sierra concluded by stating that Colombia has demonstrated that dialogue is the most effective way to build peace, even in scenarios of deep differences.
