Thu Nov 21 21:47:14 UTC 2024: ## Colombia’s “Total Peace” Stalls, But Local Talks Offer Glimmer of Hope
**Bogota, Colombia** – President Gustavo Petro’s ambitious “Total Peace” initiative, aimed at ending decades of armed conflict in Colombia, has faced setbacks in its first year. While ceasefires have been broken and violence persists in some areas, negotiations with the Comuneros del Sur rebel group are showing promising progress, offering a potential model for future peace talks.
The Comuneros, a splinter group from the National Liberation Army (ELN), operate in Nariño province. In May, they announced their separation from the ELN, citing disagreements over tactics, and expressed a willingness to negotiate with the government. Peace talks officially began in September, focusing on de-escalation of violence, territorial transformation, and the group’s reintegration into civilian life.
A key element of the negotiations is the “territorialising” of the peace process. Government negotiator Andrei Gómez-Suárez highlights this approach as innovative, bringing local leaders, indigenous communities, and armed fighters into direct dialogue to address specific regional needs. This contrasts with previous negotiations, such as the 2016 peace deal with the FARC, which faced challenges due to its nationwide scope.
The talks have already yielded significant results, including a bilateral ceasefire, a plan for weapons destruction, and agreements on humanitarian access and the search for missing persons. In return, the government has pledged investments in infrastructure development in Nariño.
However, experts caution against premature optimism. Jeremy McDermott of InsightCrime notes that the Comuneros’ willingness to negotiate may stem from aligning political views with the Petro administration. The potential for a right-wing government in 2026 poses a significant risk to the sustainability of the agreement. Furthermore, the fragmented nature of armed groups in Colombia complicates the process, as illustrated by the Comuneros’ recent split from the ELN.
Sergio Guzmán of Colombia Risk Analysis warns that the government’s strategy of negotiating with individual factions might inadvertently increase complexity. While clashes between armed groups and the army have decreased, internal conflicts between these groups persist.
Despite these concerns, some analysts remain optimistic. Daniel Medina of the Institute for Integrated Transitions believes the Comuneros negotiations are the most advanced and potentially the only ones to achieve a final deal during Petro’s term. The success or failure of these talks could significantly influence the outcome of other ongoing negotiations.
Gómez-Suárez emphasizes the importance of acting swiftly: “Peace does not wait for a final agreement.” The government’s focus on a localized, “territorial” approach offers a potentially viable pathway to peace, but its long-term success remains uncertain.
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