Colombia Halts Ceasefire with Former FARC Dissidents

On Thursday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced a suspension of the ceasefire with a segment that previously was part of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla organization.

The group split from FARC after signing a peace agreement in 2016 with the authorities to conclude more than fifty years of conflict.

As part of the agreement, FARC combatants surrendered their weapons, yet certain longstanding rebel organizations along with newer groups that arose subsequently refused to disarm.

Peace negotiations will go ahead even as the truce with rebel groups has been halted.

The truce between the government and the rebel faction of FARC lapsed earlier this week. While an extension was anticipated, negotiations failed to reach a conclusion in time.

Petro stated in an announcement that he was not extending the bilateral and temporary ceasefire concerning the civilian population.

Petro stressed that this choice did not signify the conclusion of peace negotiations with the group.

Currently, each party has 72 hours to relocate to sites where they will be responsible for implementing their own safety and protective arrangements.

The truce had been in place since December 2023 and was repeatedly prolonged. However, in 2024, Petro halted the ceasefires with sections of the dissenting faction following assaults by their combatants on an indigenous population.

Petro’s pledge to bring an end to all strife within the nation

Peace negotiations
With multiple unlawful armed groups being included, this forms part of Petro’s comprehensive governmental strategy aimed at achieving “paz total” or “total peace.”

After assuming power in 2022, he has engaged in discussions with multiple factions. Nonetheless, numerous combatants and militant organizations refuse to accept peace with the Colombian administration.

Non-governmental organization criticizes collapse of truce

Leonardo Gonzalez, who leads the non-governmental peace organization Indepaz, tweeted that the government’s choice represents “a significant step back for the communities living in areas historically impacted by the armed conflict.”

Gonzalez stated that the collapse of the truce made it possible for conflicts to restart and led to disruptions in social, environmental, and economic initiatives “in regions where governmental influence is minimal or entirely absent.”

The dissident group did not respond right away.

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar

Author: Chiara Bachels (along with EFE, DPA, and Reuters)