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Colombia President Abelardo de la Espriella signs Submission Law
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella signed Law 2640 of 2026, known as the Submission Law, on November 4, 2026. This legislation establishes a new legal framework for armed groups to surrender to ordinary justice without receiving political recognition, effectively ending the “Total Peace” policy implemented during the administration of Gustavo Petro.
The law mandates that surrendering groups must fully identify themselves, hand over kidnapped individuals, provide information on the disappeared, and submit a complete inventory of illicit assets. Under the new rules, sentence reductions are capped at 50% for base members and 30% for leaders, with a minimum requirement of 10 years of effective imprisonment for leadership figures. Notably, those responsible for recruiting minors are expressly excluded from receiving any benefits.
The legislation passed through Congress with 57 votes in favor and 24 against in the Senate, and 95 votes in favor and 10 against in the House of Representatives. President De la Espriella stated that the law aims to ensure that those who have committed crimes must pay for them, signaling a shift toward a more rigorous security policy.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · Colombia · Congress of the Republic of Colombia · Gustavo Petro · Hernán Cadavid · Iván Cancino
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Senate approved the law with 57 votes in favor and 24 against. 360radio.com.co · www.areacucuta.com · diariodelnorte.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] The House of Representatives approved the law with 95 votes in favor and 10 against. 360radio.com.co · www.areacucuta.com · diariodelnorte.net
- [● 4 SOURCES] President Abelardo de la Espriella signed Law 2640 of 2026 on November 4, 2026. 360radio.com.co · www.areacucuta.com · diariodelnorte.net · uruguayaldia.com.uy
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Armed groups must surrender assets and information on the disappeared to receive benefits. www.areacucuta.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Sentence reductions are capped at 50% for base members and 30% for leaders. www.areacucuta.com · francomacorisanos.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The law ends the “Total Peace” policy of the previous administration. 360radio.com.co · www.areacucuta.com · diariodelnorte.net · francomacorisanos.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Individuals responsible for recruiting minors are excluded from benefits. www.elespectador.com · www.areacucuta.com · francomacorisanos.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The number of armed group members increased from 15,120 in December 2022 to approximately 28,802 in July 2026. diariodelnorte.net