Colombia shifts security strategy toward direct offensive against armed groups

Colombia is undergoing a significant shift in security policy following the conclusion of the ‘Paz Total’ strategy implemented by the administration of Gustavo Petro. While the previous government sought simultaneous negotiations with multiple armed organizations, critics noted that criminal structures used these periods to expand territorial control and increase extortion. Statistics show extortion cases rose from 9,791 in 2022 to over 13,000 in 2024, with a continued upward trend in early 2026.

The humanitarian impact has been severe, with the Defensoría del Pueblo reporting thousands of victims of forced displacement and confinement in early 2026. Challenges such as massacres, child recruitment, and the killing of social leaders persisted during the negotiation era.

Under the new administration of Abelardo de la Espriella, the official stance has shifted toward direct offensive operations against criminal structures. Since August 7, the government has prioritized military action, reporting thousands of arrests and significant seizures of narcotics and firearms. This shift follows the breakdown of dialogue tables with groups like the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada, a paramilitary organization that gained prominence during previous negotiations but is now facing increased pressure from state authorities.