Peace talks between the Colombian government and armed group the Estado Mayor of Blocs and Fronts (EMBF) have reached agreement on six points aimed at bringing a negotiated settlement in a welcome boost for the Total Peace strategy that prioritises dialogue as the means to resolve conflict. The advance came in the seventh round of talks between the two sides, held in San Vicente del Caguán in the department of Caquetá.
Core issues addressed include conflict de-escalation, land access, environment, the 2026 elections and a pledge to avoid forcibly recruiting children. The agreement also seeks to strengthen the peace process at a national level, and to assess the health and legal status of imprisoned EMBF members and to develop educative projects for them.
The agreements allow for institutional visits to EMBF-controlled territory to examine transformational strategies as previously agreed in the dialogues. Furthermore, community representatives from rural and urban areas will have input into decision-making processes.
The first point on conflict de-escalation aims to reduce the impact of fighting on civilian populations, government officials, members of the security forces and peace signatories from armed groups. The second point, which addresses land access, recognises specially-created peasant reserve zones, known as ZRCs, the rights of communities and protection of biodiverse areas. This relates to the third point, on environment, which addresses protection of national parks and voluntary substitution of illegal crops.
With regards the 2026 local, legislative and presidential elections, the fourth point stipulates a pact to ‘allow citizens to freely exercise their right to elect and be elected’. It also provides guarantees for candidates to campaign openly and securely.
The EMBF peace dialogues are supported, in the role of guarantor countries, by Ireland, Venezuela, Switzerland and Norway, each of which had representatives present at the 20 November signing of the latest agreements. The United Nations and Organization of American States, as well as Colombian church groups, are also involved in the talks.
Despite international support and a series of important breakthroughs, the Total Peace strategy has come under criticism from government opponents as talks with the ELN guerrillas remain suspended and other armed groups reject talks. Proponents of Total Peace hope that positive developments will help bring about the continuation of dialogues under Colombia’s next government, which will take office in August 2026.