Colombian government to resume military operations against EMC insurgent group

Colombia will suspend the 2023 bilateral ceasefire agreement with the FARC-EMC insurgent group in three provinces today.

Colombia ranks among the countries with the highest levels of social inequality, which has caused the emergence of numerous insurgent groups. Since the landmark 2016 Peace Agreement between the Colombian government and FARC, the desired effect of reducing violence and coercion has been largely unsuccessful. Despite FARC signing the agreement, the EMC faction did not, taking advantage of the ceasefire to recruit new combatants and seize new territories along the Pacific coast. Under the 2023 ceasefire agreement, the situation seems to be repeating itself. However, Petro intends to employ stricter measures to combat criminal groups that hold the rural population of Colombian provinces in an iron grip.

Resuming military operations against the EMC may lead to an immediate escalation of violence in the affected areas. In the short term, peaceful negotiations are not likely possible unless the EMC suffers significant losses among its ranks. Internationally, the US and the EU may seek to consolidate efforts to achieve lasting peace in Colombia by increasing funding for the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement and assisting in strengthening local law enforcement agencies.