Colombian election Sunday determines future of peace negotiations policy
Colombian election Sunday will determine if government continues "total peace" policy with armed groups.
Event / Conflict
Colombia Peace Negotiations CNEB
99 members of Colombia's CNEB guerrilla group deposited weapons in Putumayo as part of peace negotiations with the Petro government under the 'total peace' policy. Guerrillas will remain in a demilitarized zone for ten months pending final disarmament. A presidential runoff election will determine whether the peace policy continues or is reversed by a right-wing candidate opposed to armed group negotiations.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 19 Jun, 07:03 UTC
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What happened
CNEB controlled by ex-FARC leader Walter Mendoza who rejoined armed conflict in 2019
The CNEB members participating in the weapons deposit followed orders from Walter Mendoza, a former FARC member who signed the 2016 peace accord but took up arms again in 2019. Mendoza was not present at the ceremony. The Colombian government estimates the CNEB has between 2,000 and 2,500 members.
99 CNEB guerrillas deposit weapons in Putumayo, Colombia
99 members of the Coordinación Nacional Armada Bolivariana (CNEB), a dissident group from the former FARC, deposited their weapons in a container in the Putumayo jungle department of Colombia. The ceremony took place three days before the second round of presidential elections, with international organizations and the Catholic Church present as observers. The weapons container was inscribed with "I bet on life, I keep my word for peace."
Colombian presidential runoff Sunday will determine continuation of "total peace" policy
Colombians are scheduled to vote Sunday in a presidential runoff election to choose between continuing President Petro's "total peace" policy with leftist senator Ivan Cepeda as his designated successor, or electing right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella who promises direct confrontation with armed groups. De la Espriella could potentially end negotiations with the CNEB if elected, which would cancel the suspension of arrest warrants for the 99 guerrillas who deposited weapons.
CNEB guerrillas agree to remain in demilitarized zone for ten months
The 99 CNEB members who deposited their weapons will remain in a designated zone in the Putumayo jungle for ten months while awaiting final disarmament and clarification of their legal status. They have been provided with hygiene kits, books, and housing equipped with solar panels. The zone is monitored by the Colombian military and is located on land previously used for coca cultivation.
CNEB is sole armed group continuing peace negotiations with Petro government
The CNEB is the only guerrilla group still engaged in peace discussions with President Gustavo Petro's government. Other left-wing guerrillas, right-wing paramilitary organizations, and drug trafficking groups have all abandoned negotiations. The CNEB, a dissident faction of the ex-FARC that split after the 2016 peace agreement, has been the sole continuing participant in Petro's "total peace" policy.
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2 alternative perspectives
CNEB guerrillas deposit weapons in Putumayo breakthrough
CNEB guerrillas deposit weapons and commit to demilitarized zone in ongoing peace talks.