At least 80 people killed in northeast Colombia as peace talks fail, official says
apJAN 14
Colombia Mulls Declaring State of Exception as Dozens Killed in Guerrilla Violence
Above: Police officers and Colombia's Civil Defense members unload humanitarian aid for displaced people from recent clashes between armed groups in Tibu, Norte de Santader Department, on Jan. 19, 2025. Image copyright: Schneyder Mendoza/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Unlike past peace processes, the ambitious Total Peace sought to finally bring the country's decades-long armed conflict to an end, ensuring that guerrillas would not be persecuted once demobilized and disarmed. That talks with the ELN have once again been called off doesn't discredit the plan — there has been success in talks with other groups.
Right narrative
Total Peace was always a failure waiting to happen, as there were no incentives to stop armed groups from continuing to expand their territorial control. It's certain that Bogotá did sign cease-fires with some guerrilla groups, but the truth is that violence has risen under Petro.