Colombia Tops UN Security Council’s Agenda

Colombia topped the UN Security Council’s agenda as Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Colombia, updated the member states on the nation’s political situation on Tuesday, April 9. Carlos Ruiz Massieu’s briefing came after his trip to Colombia as part of the United Nations Verification Mission, which was approved by the UN Security Council in September 2017 to oversee the peace process between the Colombian government and the armed groups involved in the Colombian armed conflict.

Security Council hearing on Colombia’s peace process

In his address, the UN Special Representative emphasized Colombia’s progress in the peace process and the advancement of ongoing peace dialogue efforts. He praised the leading role of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), the transitional justice mechanism established to investigate and prosecute members of the FARC guerrilla groups and Colombian public forces for their involvement and potential crimes during the Colombian armed conflict. As the JEP is expected to issue its first judgments soon, Ruiz Massieu acknowledged the organization’s autonomy and independence.

He also commended the current progress of land reform and land restitution, a fundamental element of the peace process, which has been reinvigorated by President Petro’s administration. He urged Colombians to unite across the political spectrum as a crucial step in securing peace, and praised “Colombia’s decision to prioritize dialogue as a principal means to resolve conflict,” stating that this “sets the country apart as a model for others that is more relevant than ever in today’s world.”

The dialogue between Colombian government and guerrilla group

The UN Special Representative for Colombia also provided the UN Security Council with updates on the armed conflicts and specific cases related to the peace process between the Colombian government and guerrilla movements.

With respect to the dialogue between Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN), the Special Representative encouraged both parties to overcome current differences to reach a sustainable peace agreement. The Colombian government and the ELN are scheduled to begin their next round of negotiations from April 12 to 22 in Caracas, Venezuela.  

As for dialogue with the Central General Staff (EMC), he encouraged Colombia and the guerrilla group to “resolve their differences at the negotiation table,” as the dialogue between the Colombian government and the EMC is currently on hold. On March 20, the Colombian military initiated ‘Operation Mantus’, ending the ceasefire with the guerrilla group after its attacks on indigenous communities in Cauca department.