Justice for Colombia would like to acknowledge the important work of Danilo Rueda, who served as High Commissioner for Peace until November 2023. Danilo Rueda’s work driving forward the Colombian government’s Total Peace policy has left an important legacy in Colombia’s ongoing search for a comprehensive and lasting peace.
The multiple talks and agreements with groups operating in urban settings have made a material difference for predominantly working-class communities in various parts of the country. Advances in the talks with the EMC armed group continue to offer hope while there has been historic progress in talks with the ELN, Colombia’s oldest remaining guerrilla group. We also welcome the renewed attention to the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement with the FARC-EP.
We would also like to warmly congratulate the newly appointed High Commissioner for Peace, Otty Patiño, who has been leading the government negotiating team in its talks with the ELN. We look forward to working with the new Commissioner as we continue to mobilise international support for peace and social justice in Colombia. More specifically, we look forward to working with the new High Commissioner to see successful conclusions to all the negotiations initiated as part of the Total Peace policy as well as successful implementation of the 2016 agreement.