II. Armed conflict and the peace process in Colombia

Chapter:

3. Armed conflict and peace processes in the Americas

Source:

SIPRI Yearbook 2020

Author(s):

Marina Caparini

Colombia experienced over five decades of armed conflict before the biggest guerrilla group in the country—the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia–People’s Army (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia–Ejército del Pueblo, FARC–EP)—signed a peace agreement in November 2016. Since then, the Government of Colombia and FARC–EP have taken a series of steps to implement the peace agreement. In 2019 more than two thirds of the commitments set out in the agreement had been initiated, and more than one third had been completed or made substantial progress.¹ Overall, the agreement has been effective at ending the conflict, sustaining peace between both parties and transforming the FARC–EP into a democratic political party.² Nevertheless the process has become more complex due to the aggravating security situation in the country, particularly in relation to the protection of demobilized FARC–EP soldiers and human rights activists, and the power vacuum being filled by diverse non-state armed groups.