Colombia faces persistent armed violence reaffirms 2016 peace pact before UN amid election threats

Colombia’s Vice Minister for Multilateral Affairs, Mauricio Jaramillo Jassir, has described peace in Colombia as a “long and demanding road” nearly a decade after the signing of the 2016 Peace Agreement with the FARC. Speaking before the UN Security Council in New York, Jassir stressed that international backing and the UN Verification Mission remain essential despite ongoing violence. He acknowledged serious challenges, including the killing of hundreds of former combatants and rising security risks ahead of the 2026 elections. The UN report warned that full implementation of the peace accord is crucial to protecting lives and ensuring lasting stability.