Mon Jan 19 05:22:05 UTC 2026: # FARC Splinter Groups Clash in Colombia, Leaving 27 Dead and Peace Efforts Stalled

The Story:
At least 27 members of a leftist guerrilla group in Colombia were killed in clashes with a rival faction in the southwestern department of Guaviare on January 18, 2026. The fighting occurred in a strategic region used for cocaine production and trafficking. The conflict involves two factions that splintered from the Central General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in April 2024: one led by Néstor Gregorio Vera (alias Iván Mordisco) and the other by Alexander Díaz Mendoza (alias Calarcá Córdoba).

The clash highlights the fractured state of the FARC remnants after the 2016 peace agreement. The faction led by Díaz Mendoza is currently engaged in peace talks with President Gustavo Petro, while Vera’s group continues hostilities, having rejected the earlier peace deal and had a bilateral ceasefire suspended by the government.

Key Points:
* 27 members of Iván Mordisco’s FARC faction were killed.
* The clashes occurred in the municipality of El Retorno, Guaviare, a strategic area for cocaine production.
* The fighting was between factions led by Néstor Gregorio Vera (Iván Mordisco) and Alexander Díaz Mendoza (Calarcá Córdoba).
* Both factions were formerly part of the Central General Staff of FARC but separated in April 2024.
* Díaz Mendoza’s group is engaged in peace talks with President Petro, while Vera’s group continues fighting.
* The overall conflict in Colombia has resulted in over 450,000 deaths and millions displaced.

Critical Analysis:
The event underscores the persistent challenges in achieving lasting peace in Colombia. The splintering of FARC demonstrates that not all factions were willing to lay down arms, despite the 2016 peace agreement. The control of lucrative drug trafficking routes continues to fuel the conflict, making these areas battlegrounds for rival groups seeking dominance. The fact that one faction is engaging in peace talks while the other continues hostilities reveals a complex and multi-layered conflict environment.

Key Takeaways:
* The 2016 peace agreement with FARC did not eliminate all armed conflict in Colombia.
* Drug trafficking remains a key driver of violence and instability.
* Internal divisions within former FARC ranks are significant obstacles to peace.
* President Petro’s peace efforts face considerable challenges from dissident groups.
* The conflict highlights the need for comprehensive strategies that address both armed groups and the underlying economic factors that fuel the violence.

Impact Analysis:
The continued clashes between FARC splinter groups have several significant implications:

  • Undermining Peace Efforts: The ongoing violence undermines President Petro’s efforts to negotiate peace with armed groups. The lack of a unified approach from all factions makes achieving a comprehensive settlement exceedingly difficult.
  • Continued Violence and Displacement: The fighting will likely lead to continued violence in affected regions, resulting in further displacement of civilians and humanitarian crises.
  • Increased Drug Trafficking: The struggle for control of drug trafficking routes will likely intensify, leading to increased production and trafficking of cocaine and other illicit substances.
  • Regional Instability: The instability in Colombia could spill over into neighboring countries, exacerbating regional security concerns.
  • Erosion of Trust: The continued violence erodes trust in the peace process and the government’s ability to provide security, potentially leading to further recruitment into armed groups.

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