Colombia

Background reviewed 2026-10-23 · Background as of 2026-10

Background

Colombia’s armed conflict lasted more than half a century. The 2016 peace agreement with the FARC guerrillas led to their disarmament, but other armed groups, including the ELN guerrillas, FARC dissident factions and the Clan del Golfo, have fought for control of territory and drug-trafficking routes.

In January 2025 fighting between the ELN and a FARC dissident group in the Catatumbo region caused one of the largest displacement emergencies in years, and the government suspended talks with the ELN. A presidential election in 2026 was won in a run-off by Abelardo de la Espriella.

History

Colombia’s modern armed conflict began in the 1960s with the formation of left-wing guerrilla groups, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), against a background of land inequality and earlier political violence known as La Violencia. Right-wing paramilitary groups and drug-trafficking organisations later became major actors.

The government and the FARC signed a peace agreement in 2016 after four years of talks in Havana. It was narrowly rejected in a referendum, revised and approved by Congress, and most FARC fighters disarmed under UN monitoring. Since then, the ELN, FARC dissident factions and armed groups such as the Clan del Golfo have competed for territory, drug-trafficking routes and illegal mining, and community leaders in rural areas continue to face threats.

Main parties

Colombian Armed Forces and National Police — State security forces.
National Liberation Army (ELN) — Left-wing guerrilla group.
FARC dissident groups — Factions that rejected or left the 2016 agreement, such as the Estado Mayor Central.
Clan del Golfo (EGC) — Large armed and drug-trafficking organisation.

Key dates

1964 — The FARC and ELN guerrilla groups are founded.
2016-11-24 — The government and the FARC sign a revised peace agreement.
2022-08-07 — Gustavo Petro takes office promising a policy of “total peace”.
2025-01-16 — Fighting erupts in Catatumbo between the ELN and FARC dissidents.
2025-06-07 — Presidential pre-candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is shot in Bogotá; he dies in August.
2026-06 — Abelardo de la Espriella wins the presidential run-off.

Humanitarian situation

Colombia has one of the largest internally displaced populations in the world as a result of decades of conflict. Confinement of communities by armed groups, landmines and the recruitment of children remain serious concerns, especially in rural and border areas. Colombia also hosts millions of Venezuelan migrants.

How to read reports about Colombia

Many incidents occur in remote rural municipalities; we show them at the municipality or department level.

Recent events

Loading…