Colombia's 2016 Peace Deal Faces Implementation Delays Ten Years On

Colombia's Ombudsman's Office will present a report this week assessing ten years of compliance with the 2016 Peace Agreement signed with the former FARC guerrilla. Ombudsman Iris Marín Ortiz said the country created the necessary institutions to implement the accord, but fulfillment remains delayed. Protection of peace signatories, victim assistance, and integral development are among the most critical points.

Marín Ortiz stated that the country's current conflict situation is not a consequence of the 2016 agreement and should not be used as a reason to set aside its implementation. She described peace as having a mystical component and a mechanical component, explaining that a beautiful discourse must be converted into resources, instruments, and institutions.

“Ten years later we are seeing a president walking among corpses, showing them with pride or signing bombs as if they were gifts.”

The agreement was signed on November 24, 2016, at the Colón Theater. It now faces budgetary, ideological, and perception challenges in a different political and fiscal context. Several administrations have passed through the Casa de Nariño since the process architect, ranging from institution-building to defunding amid budget cuts.

Former President Juan Manuel Santos addressed the changes during a forum at Rosario University supported by El Espectador. He described current President Abelardo de la Espriella as walking among corpses, showing them with pride, or signing bombs as if they were gifts. Santos said he hopes this does not send a message to return to the past.

Santos also referred to military operations called Azarías carried out in Miraflores. Other participants in the forum included former Vice President Óscar Naranjo, JEP President Danilo Rojas, Ombudsman Iris Marín Ortiz, UN Verification Mission chief Miroslav Jenca, and victims' representatives.

The forum served as a comparative X-ray to understand the country left by the agreement's signing. Polarization remains a constant from the narrow plebiscito margin and this year's presidential elections.