Colombia's Peace Process: "There is no better alternative to ending conflict than through dialogue"

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, today (12 Oct) told the Security Council that Colombia “is experiencing a period of renewed expectation as a result of the bold, total peace approach advanced by President Gustavo Petro.” Ruiz Massieu said this policy “is anchored in the comprehensive implementation of the final agreement with the former FARC EP” and in addition, “seeks to deepen peace through the resumption of dialogues with the National Liberation Army, the ELN, and through rapprochement with other armed actors to bring an end to the manifold expressions of violence that continue to strike communities in various regions of the country.” The Mission Chief said, “bringing the promises of the agreement to fruition requires continuous and constructive dialogue between the parties and with civil society, including women and ethnic organizations within the framework of the institutions created by the final agreement.” He said, “I truly believe that the full use of these mechanisms will be key to help resolve the many urgent challenges facing peace implementation.” Ruiz Massieu stressed that “the support of the United Nations Security Council has been decisive in securing important achievements and in overcoming countless obstacles.” He said, “in light of this new scenario for renewed opportunities for peace, this steadfast and unanimous commitment to Colombia will continue to be of vital importance.” In his address to the Council, Colombia’s new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Álvaro Leyva Durán, said, “we saw the worst of times, the age of foolishness, the epoch of incredulity, of darkness, the winter of despair. We stopped walking towards Heaven, to look into the abysm. And that was so because on Sunday 17 June, we received the mandate of he who promised to tear the peace process to shreds. This was a harmful determination expressed at the ballot box. This man was further manipulated by a not so invisible hand, controlled from beyond our borders, which has harmed us so much.” Gustavo Petro was elected President on 19 June. His predecessor, Iván Duque Márquez was President from 2018 to 2022.


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