In mid-June, 99 combatants from an armed group formally surrendered their weapons to government officials in southern Colombia as part of the previous administration’s “total peace” initiative. The fighters were transported to a temporary transition zone, or ZUT, where they were to undergo vocational training, psychosocial support, and prepare for civilian reintegration over the following months. The disarmament occurred just three days before a presidential runoff election won by Abelardo de la Espriella, a far-right candidate who campaigned on ending peace negotiations and instead pursuing military operations against criminal organizations.
The 99 individuals now face an uncertain future as the new president has rejected the peace framework that enabled their surrender and protection. De la Espriella has already begun implementing promised airstrikes against criminal groups and has declined to specify his intentions regarding the disarmed combatants currently in the ZUT. While arrest warrants against the group remain suspended and they are theoretically protected by the state until December 25, the president has authority to revoke the protective decree at any time. Several former government officials involved in the peace process have expressed concern about potential military operations against the unarmed group.
The 99 represent a small fraction of approximately 1,000 members of the Commandos of the Frontier, most of whom remain armed and are part of the National Coordinator of the Bolivarian Army, a dissident faction controlling the border with Ecuador. The previous administration had been negotiating with other armed groups, though their willingness to continue talks under the new government remains unclear. The armed factions, which emerged decades ago as ideological movements, have increasingly focused on economic activities including drug trafficking and illegal mining rather than political objectives.
The broader peace initiative was intended to address armed groups not covered by a 2016 peace agreement with the main Farc organization. However, during ceasefire periods, armed factions continued expanding their territorial control and engaged in clashes with rival groups, contributing to increases in homicides, kidnappings and massacres.
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