The Secretary-General underscores the willingness of the United Nations to continue to accompany the authorities and people of Colombia in efforts to achieve lasting peace and security
Bogotá, 14 July 2026. In his latest report on the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, covering the period from 27 March to 26 June 2026, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, underscored the democratic commitment of the Colombian people, the resilience of their institutions, and the record-high voter participation in the recent elections, which culminated on 21 June in the victory of Abelardo de la Espriella, who is to be sworn in on 7 August.
The Secretary-General stressed that “a smooth and cooperative transition between the Administrations would help to preserve the progress that Colombia has made under the Final Peace Agreement and to set the foundations for addressing ongoing challenges.”
The Secretary-General noted that “the transition to a new administration is underway at a critical juncture for the peace process” and reiterated “the willingness of the United Nations to continue to accompany the authorities and people of Colombia in efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.” He further noted that his Special Representative in Colombia, Miroslav Jenča, will engage with the incoming authorities in the period ahead to understand their views and priorities and to offer the experience and capacities of the Verification Mission, drawing on nearly ten years of assistance throughout various administrations.
Similarly, António Guterres highlighted that issues of peace and security rank among the primary concerns of the Colombian people, as demonstrated during the recent electoral campaign. In this regard, he reiterated that fuller implementation of the Peace Agreement’s provisions on reintegration, security guarantees and rural reform can make critical contributions, noting that “the areas where violence is most acute are precisely those where implementation has been insufficient. Security policies and peace initiatives can work harmoniously with one another.”
The report notes that the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement continued to show gradual but uneven progress and emphasizes the need to address persistent structural challenges through sustained efforts to strengthen institutional presence, improve coordination across sectors, and ensure that implementation translates into tangible improvements for conflict-affected communities.
Advancing Sustainable Reintegration
On reintegration, the report highlighted that it is essential that support for the process be strengthened, including through the provision of security guarantees and sustainable socioeconomic opportunities, so that the more than 11,000 former combatants who have now spent a decade in this transition can fully assume their role as citizens.
The report highlights the role of reintegration in fostering trust between communities and institutions, as well as its contribution to social cohesion, the reduction of stigmatization and the mitigation of the potential for recruitment by armed groups, thereby contributing to preventing the resurgence of violence.
Comprehensive Rural Reform, key to a prosperous and productive rural sector
Regarding Comprehensive Rural Reform, the report highlights significant progress in land formalization and delivery, as well as a significant reduction in multidimensional poverty in rural areas, from 38.6 per cent in 2018 to 22.4 per cent in 2025. It underscores the reform’s central role in achieving peace and security in rural areas. However, the Secretary-General emphasized that guaranteeing the security of beneficiaries is urgently needed to stabilize territories, noting that “while progress to date demonstrates its transformative potential, implementation has been uneven. Advancing the reform will be essential to stabilizing conflict-affected regions, combating illicit activities and improving the lives of rural communities.”
Challenges in providing security guarantees
The report notes with concern that, since the signing of the Peace Agreement, 493 former combatants have been killed, including 12 women, 64 Indigenous persons and 59 Afro-Colombians. While the number of fatal attacks has declined so far in 2026, with five killings recorded to date, one during the reporting period, other forms of violence persisted, including threats, pressure by armed groups for former combatants to join their ranks, extortion targeting their productive projects, and forced displacements. The report highlights that, since the signing of the Peace Agreement, the Special Investigation Unit of the Office of the Attorney General has issued 1,552 arrest warrants, made 627 arrests, and obtained 109 convictions, linked to attacks against former combatants.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), between 27 March and 1 June 2026, 5,272 people were forcibly displaced and 9,553 were confined in humanitarian emergencies across 7 departments. 58 per cent of those affected belonged to ethnic communities. In addition, at least 316,000 people were affected by restrictions on movement and access in Cauca and the Amazon region as part of the control exerted over communities by armed groups.
During the same period, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) received reports of 33 killings of social leaders, including 7 women, 3 Indigenous persons, 4 Afro-descendants and 4 peasant leaders. Those most affected included ethnic authorities, leaders involved in land-related issues, women leaders and members of Community Action Boards (JACs).
Despite this situation, policy frameworks on prevention and protection developed in the wake of the Peace Agreement, such as public policy on guarantees for leaders and human rights defenders, have yet to be approved and implemented.
Building lasting peace
The Secretary-General recalled that lasting peace will require that Colombians work across deep political divides after a tense and sharply polarizing electoral period. He stressed that “there is no room for political violence, and I hope that leaders from all sides will make efforts to de-escalate confrontational rhetoric and maintain constructive channels of dialogue.”
Finally, the Secretary-General encouraged the Security Council and the international community to maintain their focused support for Colombia and reaffirmed that the Verification Mission “remains fully engaged and committed to advancing peace and stands well positioned to continue contributing to these efforts alongside the United Nations country team and the broader international community.”
The report will be presented on 15 July 2026 in New York by Mr. Miroslav Jenča, Special Representative of the Secretary-General & Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia.
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Download here the Report of the Secretary-General on the UN Verification Mission in Colombia S/2026/528
