During the UN Security Council session, the United States expressed serious reservations about the way in which the Colombian government is conducting its “total peace” policy. Although he expressed support for the objective of achieving peace, the US delegation warned that violence persists in several territories and pointed out a worrying lack of direction in the midst of parallel negotiations with multiple armed actors.
The intervention occurred within the framework of the presentation of the quarterly report on Colombia by Carlos Ruiz Massieu, outgoing chief of the United Nations Verification Mission, who presented a mixed balance on the implementation of the agreement signed with the FARC.
Ruiz Massieu highlighted advances in the transformation of the field and in the design of inclusive policies towards communities historically affected by the conflict. He also underlined the progress of the special jurisdiction for peace, JEP: “I highlight the work of the special jurisdiction for peace. Today it is about to begin a new crucial phase of its work. We are eager to soon issue their first sentences to repair the victims, ”he said before the Council.
The diplomat stressed that, although the Peace Agreement opened new opportunities for political participation and has reduced levels of violence compared to previous years, structural challenges persist that slow an integral peace. “Despite the undeniable advanced advances, the implementation of the agreement continues to face several challenges that hinder the consolidation of a true peace. Among them, the limited presence of institutions in different regions of the country, where the benefits of peace are still limited, ”he said.
One of the most delicate aspects addressed by Ruiz Massieu was the continuity of the actions of armed groups in several areas of the country. “Colombia is a very different country from the one before the peace agreement. Violence indicators remain below the highest point of the conflict, However, I have witnessed how the scourge of violence continues to deeply affect the life of communities, ex -combatants and social and political leaders, ”he said. According to his report, only since the publication of the document last Monday, they murdered four signatories of the agreement.
In his speech, he also referred to the recent attack against Senator Miguel Uribe, which occurred on June 7. “The attack on his life on June 7, in addition to being a serious and repudiable fact, generated a strong impact on Colombian society. The attack evoked episodes of violence from the past in the political sphere and stressed more urgently than ever the imperative of getting the violence of politics, an explicit objective of the peace agreement, ”he said.
Por its part, the United States showed concern for what it considers signs of institutional weakness against territorial control and the security of the civilian population. In his statement, he warned that maintaining open negotiations with different armed groups may be encouraging the increase in violent attacks and facts. The delegation was emphatic when pointing: “The political leadership Flesaa”, in direct reference to the management of the Petro Government in the process.
