Briefing Security Council, President Cites ‘Territorial Segregation, Illicit Economy’ for Colombia’s Long-Standing Inability to Achieve Peace
Colombia has failed to establish total peace for two and a half centuries because it did not include all its territories in its nation-building, the President of Colombia told the Security Council today, as members reiterated their support for that country’s peace process.
“We don’t have a national conflict, but have regional conflicts in the same geographical areas as they have been for many decades,” said President Gustavo Petro Urrego in his first appearance before the 15-member organ, explaining that violence has not really expanded across Colombia, rather it is becoming geographically concentrated.
He said that Colombia has continually failed for so long because of “territorial segregation”, citing an illicit economy and “wars of greed”. “These are not allowing us to achieve total peace and move into an era of peace,” he said.
His country has some areas that are rich like the places around UN Headquarters in New York, he said, adding that the poorest areas have been neglected. So, the signing of the 2016 peace accord — officially known as the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace — is about including the most excluded rural areas within national development and democracy, he explained.
Also briefing the Council was Diego Tovar, an ex-combatant from the rebel group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) and signatory to the 2016 peace agreement. Also as representative of the high contracting party to the Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion and Verification of the Implementation of the Final Agreement, he said that today’s inauguration of the Colombia peace monument at UN Headquarters symbolized the peace signatories’ commitment “to comply with what was agreed upon since we laid down arms”.
“Violence in the territories continues to destroy the lives of entire communities,” he went on to say, adding that it also limits State authorities’ ability to fulfil their responsibilities. “The State must fulfil its obligations to the women and men who laid down their weapons in a negotiated solution to decades of war — to work for peace,” he underscored.
Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, presented the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on the Mission. “Insecurity is clearly the main obstacle to the reintegration and success of the peace agreement,” he said, noting that since its signing, 421 signatories have been killed.
“The implementation of the Agreement must go hand in hand with complementary strategies to deactivate the persistent phenomena of violence,” he said, highlighting the role of the United Nations in promoting these simultaneous efforts.
In the ensuing discussion, delegates commended the presence of both signatories to the Agreement, welcomed progress made in implementing the peace accord and highlighted the remaining challenges in the country.
“Colombia is a success story in progress,” said the representative of Guyana, who spoke also for Algeria, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, welcoming the Government-issued decree formally adopting the public policy to dismantle armed groups and criminal organizations.
“All stakeholders throughout Colombia should be in the driver’s seat to implement action plans, strategies and frameworks for peace,” urged Japan’s delegate. To address the root causes of conflict and societal vulnerabilities, she encouraged the Council to request an advisory from the Peacebuilding Commission, well in advance of the Verification Mission’s mandate renewal in October.
On that, her counterpart from Slovenia encouraged all sectors of Colombia to collaborate in implementing various chapters of the Agreement and transform them into concrete outcomes. Colombia is “an important example that even the most complex and demanding issues that go to the very roots of society can be solved, arms can be laid down and ceasefires can hold for the benefit of the entire population,” she said.
Mr. Petro Urrego, retaking the floor, noted that the Agreement stipulates that, if peace signatories are killed, there would be a special investigation unit set up in the Attorney General’s office. He therefore requested the establishment of an international mission under the Attorney General’s office to support investigations.
IDENTICAL LETTERS DATED 19 JANUARY 2016 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF COLOMBIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
Briefings
CARLOS RUIZ MASSIEU, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, presented the Secretary-General’s latest report on the Mission’s activities (document S/2024/509) covering the period from 27 March to 26 June. Noting the presence of Gustavo Petro Urrego, President of Colombia, and Diego Tovar, a former combatant from the former rebel group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP), he said that it is the first time that both signatories to the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace have participated in person before the Security Council. This is a stark reminder of the bilateral nature of the peace agreement and “cooperation between the parties making use of the architecture established by the agreement remains essential to make progress on its implementation”, he said. In that regard, he welcomed the intention of both parties to formulate a rapid response plan to accelerate the Final Agreement’s implementation.
Despite progress made, challenges remains, he said, citing inequitable land distribution as among the root causes of the conflict. The peace agreement includes the provision and formalization of land for peasants, rural women and victims. This is potentially the most transformational. However, progress had remained stagnant until recently, he said, congratulating President Petro for prioritizing the comprehensive rural reform and his renewed focus on bringing peace dividends to the regions most affected by conflict through territorial development programmes. While nearly 4,000 of these initiatives have been completed, the credibility of the process lies in the successful implementation of all 33,000 proposed by the communities, he emphasized.
“After the signing of the Agreement, the absence of violence in the territories was short-lived,” he said, noting that the absence of a determined effort by the State — after FARC laid down their weapons — allowed other armed groups to gradually expand, particularly affecting Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. In the department of Caquetá, threats from armed groups have led former combatants who inspired the world with their rafting ecotourism project to suspend it and leave home. “Insecurity is clearly the main obstacle to the reintegration and success of the peace agreement,” he said. Since its signing, 421 signatories have been killed. “The complexity of the violent dynamics affecting Colombia requires a multifaceted response,” he continued, stressing that “the implementation of the Agreement must go hand in hand with complementary strategies to deactivate the persistent phenomena of violence”. The United Nations plays the role of promoting these simultaneous efforts, he stressed.
DIEGO TOVAR, Representative of the high contracting party to the Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion and Verification of the Implementation of the Final Agreement, said that today’s inauguration of the Colombia peace monument at UN Headquarters symbolized the peace signatories’ commitment “to comply with what was agreed upon since we laid down arms”. This requires strict monitoring of the Final Agreement’s implementation, he stressed — “for all of us who opted for peace”. To that end, inter-institutional coordination must be strengthened and comprehensive State presence in the territories must be reinforced. Noting that the Final Agreement’s implementation depends on the coordinated work of 53 State entities, he emphasized that, today, 15 “are not producing the expected results” — including the Commission, the Special Instance for Women and Gender, the Ethnic Instance and the National Reintegration Council.
“Violence in the territories continues to destroy the lives of entire communities,” he went on to say, adding that it also limits State authorities’ ability to fulfil their responsibilities. The involvement of minors in conflict and violence against both women in reintegration processes and members of ethnic communities are major concerns, and the recent forced displacement of the Miravalle Territorial Area for Training and Reintegration is “emblematic”, he said, of insufficient implementation of security guarantees and State presence as well as a “precarious reintegration process”. He also expressed concern over the degree of impunity for homicides and other forms of violence — “which remains very high” — noting that the special investigation unit of the prosecutor’s office has yet to produce significant results. “The State must fulfil its obligations to the women and men who laid down their weapons in a negotiated solution to decades of war — to work for peace”, he underscored.
“On a positive note”, however, he welcomed State progress regarding the purchase and delivery of land within the framework of comprehensive agrarian reform, the legislature’s recent approval of an agrarian jurisdiction and the Government’s willingness to update the main implementation road map. Noting that signatories have recently delivered an action plan to the Government detailing specific short- and medium-term goals, he said that such signatories are at the State’s service to begin its implementation. He also thanked the Council for its continued and decisive support for the Final Agreement, “against which current and future peace processes in Colombia — and the rest of the world — can be measured”. He added: “Peace will prevail.”
Statements
GUSTAVO PETRO URREGO, President of Colombia, said that the Final Agreement proposes a national political pact upon all the political and social forces in the country to find a way to change norms. This has not been properly understood. That is why he wanted to come to the United Nationstoday. There has been recent violence in the areas where the peace agreement was signed. Violence has not really expanded in Colombia. Rather, it is becoming geographically concentrated. “We don’t have a national conflict, but have regional conflicts in the same geographical areas, as they have been for many decades,” he said. So, the question is why Colombia has continually failed for two and a half centuries, during which the country has been at war “amongst ourselves with different contexts” and dozens of peace agreements have failed.
Then, there are wars of an illicit economy — “wars of greed”, he said. “These are not allowing us to achieve total peace and move into an era of peace,” he said. In Colombia, there are the poorest areas but some are “rich like the places around this building”. There is territorial segregation, and that’s the point in Colombia. It was unable to solve its problem of violence because it failed to include all its territories in the nation-building process as one democratic State. “Above and beyond the differences of skin color, social, cultural and economic differences, we would be able to coexist as one and the same nation with equal powers,” he said. So, the signing of the 2016 Final Agreement is about including the most excluded rural areas within national development and democracy. This is the resolution of a problem that arises from Colombian history and even during colonial times, our history of slavery and feudalism, he said.
The representative of the United Kingdom, welcoming President Petro’s continued commitment to fully implementing the Final Agreement, said that such an instrument “is a blueprint to transform Colombia and its territories, which requires a whole-of-society effort”. She also welcomed Colombia’s continued focus on addressing the root causes of conflict, but expressed concern over “persistent levels of violence and threats” — particularly in Cauca, Valle del Cauca and Caquetá — as well as reports that areas for training and reintegration are closing due to insecurity. Condemning the targeting of peace signatories, human-rights defenders, women and social leaders and Indigenous communities, she called on Colombia to both ensure such individuals’ safety and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The representative of France welcomed President Petro’s commitment to the peace process. In this regard, the establishment of an inter-institutional coordination process is a positive development. The United Nations plays a crucial role in the peace process in Colombia, he said, noting the Verification Mission’s valuable assistance in monitoring ceasefires. The Council must continue to give its full support to the Colombian authorities as peace in Colombia is at stake. It is also a question of preserving the achievements of the peace agreement as an example of a peace process. He also welcomed that the technical assistance of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for implementing the recommendations of the Truth Commission has been renewed this week at the Human Rights Council at the request of Colombia.
The representative of Switzerland observed: “The fact that the two parties to the peace agreement — after having unveiled, together, a monument to peace this morning — are gathered in this room for the first time in history underlines their commitment to peace and stability.” However, the deteriorating security situation in Colombia must be addressed. “Achieving lasting peace is a complex process, and it is essential that explicit commitments to strengthen the protection of civilians are honoured,” she stressed, also underlining the need to advance territorial-transformation initiatives aimed at promoting socioeconomic development in conflict-affected regions. Further, she spotlighted the importance of better inter-institutional coordination for implementation of the Final Agreement.
The representative of Guyana, speaking also for Algeria, Mozambique and Sierra Leone, welcomed the progress in implementing the 2016 peace agreement, stressing that “Colombia is a success story in progress”. Peace is never perfect but can be sustained when everyone works together, she said, praising the Government’s strong commitment to improving coordination and accelerating implementation at all levels. She also welcomed the Government-issued decree formally adopting the public policy to dismantle armed groups and criminal organizations while expressing concern that violence and threats by illegal armed groups persist, including against women, children, social leaders and human rights defenders as well as the Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. She also encouraged the Government and Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) to extend the ceasefire before it expires in a few weeks. Similarly, the ceasefire between the Government and the FARC-EMC [Estado Mayor Central], which expires in a few days, should be extended.
The representative of the United States said that “just as this conflict played out over years, so too will alleviating its consequences” — including current challenges relating to security and counter-narcotics. While welcoming progress towards rural reform — a comprehensive challenge, but a vital component of the Final Agreement — she urged that more be done to advance land rights, climate-smart agriculture and financing to create a more equitable, sustainable peace. She also pointed out that the “vast majority” of youth living in conflict areas “prefer the path of peace and cooperation”, stressing that they must not be treated merely as drivers of conflict or as victims of the same. Rather, they must be empowered to fully participate in the economy and in peace dialogues.
The representative of Slovenia highlighted a message from this morning’s Peacebuilding Commission meeting that the international community recognizes Colombia’s peace agreement as a model for peacebuilding. It is also an important example that even the most complex and demanding issues that go to the very roots of society can be solved, arms can be laid down and ceasefires can hold for the benefit of the entire population. She encouraged all sectors of Colombia to collaborate in implementing various chapters of the Agreement and transform them into concrete outcomes. One area requiring such action is the transitional justice process, she said, welcoming the important advances made by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
The representative of Ecuador said that his country — “kindred” with Colombia — shares a long history, close ties and an “unwavering desire for peace”, expressing support for implementation of the Final Agreement, “which was — and still is — an international reference point”. While welcoming Government efforts to prioritize implementation of comprehensive rural reform and the Agreement’s ethnic chapter, he stressed that they must be accompanied by measures to end violence by ensuring State presence throughout the country. He also called on the Special Jurisdiction for Peace to make progress in issuing sentences. Further, despite noting progress made to ensure the effective reintegration of former combatants, he expressed concern over threats by illegal armed groups that continue to affect these individuals.
The representative of the Republic of Korea said that, despite challenges, President Petro’s Administration has achieved “remarkable outcomes” that include rural reform and ongoing dialogue with three armed groups. As the Final Agreement is “a product of national consensus”, he stressed that its full implementation must “take precedence over different political views” in order to secure enduring peace in Colombia. For its part, Seoul is supporting the peace process through rural-development projects that focus on farmers in conflict-affected areas, but persistent violence against former combatants, human-rights defenders, women and Indigenous communities must be addressed. He also expressed concern over armed groups’ “constant” youth recruitment, urging the Government to develop a tool to monitor and control the malicious use of social media for this purpose.
The representative of Japan said that the presence of Colombia’s President in today’s meeting is “a clear testimony” to the country’s political will towards total peace. “Not only the Government and State entities but all stakeholders throughout Colombia should be in the driver’s seat to implement action plans, strategies, and frameworks for peace,” she said, as people on the ground may have the best knowledge about specific challenges. But their full participation requires safety. In other words, their human security should be ensured without any fear of violence, including in rural areas. Tokyo welcomes the ongoing peace negotiations between the Government and different armed groups, including with Segunda Marquetalia in Venezuela and the EMC. To address the root causes of conflict and societal vulnerabilities, her country, as the informal coordinator between the Peacebuilding Commission and the Council, encourages the latter to request an advisory from the former, well in advance of the Mission’s mandate renewal in October.
The representative of Malta encouraged the Government to “do all in its power” to strengthen State presence across Colombia, stressing that security guarantees must be in place to protect those vulnerable to violence, discrimination or coercion. “It is also imperative that former combatants who have committed to the peace process are ensured security and stability,” he stressed, expressing concern over the forced displacement of former combatants from the Miravalle Territorial Area for Training and Reintegration. He also expressed concern over the increase in grave violations against children in Colombia, calling on the Government to protect this vulnerable group and for the prioritization of child protection in peace dialogues with armed groups.
The representative of China highlighted the importance of promoting national development in Colombia. “Development constitutes the foundation for sustainable peace,” he said, applauding the commitment of Colombia’s Government to prioritize rural reform and territorial transformation in implementing the peace agreement, as well as their scaled-up efforts in land allocation, poverty reduction and infrastructure development. These endeavours will contribute effectively to improving people’s lives and addressing the root causes of the conflict. Expressing hope that UN agencies and international and regional partners will continue to provide assistance to this end, he reiterated his country’s firm support for Colombia to independently explore “a development path that is compatible with its national conditions” and the Colombian-led and Colombian-owned peace process.
The representative of the Russian Federation, Council President for July, spoke in his national capacity to express hope that the Government’s “real efforts” will help overcome remaining differences. Underscoring that peace signatories must have proper security guarantees, he said that this will only be possible if State presence in conflict-affected areas is enhanced. “We understand that listing problems is easier than resolving them,” he went on to say, stating that determining the specific modalities to overcome Colombia’s challenges is the responsibility of Colombian society. For its part, the Council must independently and impartially monitor compliance with relevant resolutions and facilitate parties’ implementation of the same. He also expressed hope that “heightened political differences” will not detract from the agenda of implementing the Final Agreement.
Mr. PETRO URREGO, taking the floor a second time, said that armed groups are not fighting against the State. Their aim is not to seize political power, but rather to ensure their power over certain areas important to the illicit economy. “So the violence is different from that we experienced two or three decades ago,” he pointed out. He also noted that the Final Agreement stipulates that, if peace signatories are killed — “which has happened and still happens” — then there would be a special investigation unit set up in the Attorney General’s office. Further, it also provides that an international mission can be established to support such investigation. He therefore requested — “as Head of State” — the establishment of such an international mission, which will be complementary to and under the leadership of the Attorney General’s office. This will “halt the resurgence of neo-paramilitary groups” and “help ensure that the tragedies of the past are not repeated in Colombia”, he said.