Colombia peace tribunal charges former FARC leaders with crimes against Indigenous groups

Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) has charged 10 former members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) with war crimes and crimes against humanity. The charges stem from actions committed against five Indigenous groups: the Korebajü, Siona, Nükak, Hitnü, and Jiw.

Between 1996 and 2016, the suspects allegedly oversaw the torture, murder, and forced displacement of Indigenous leaders. The JEP also stated that the former rebels ordered the placement of landmines in Indigenous territories and the destruction of ecosystems vital to the tribes' survival.

The tribunal noted that these actions threatened the very existence of these communities. One significant incident cited was the 1997 San Luis massacre in Caquetá, where seven traditional authorities of the Korebajü people were killed.