Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriña urged to implement 2016 peace accord, not challenge JEP

Former President Juan Manuel Santos called on president‑elect Abelardo de la Espriña to fully implement the 2016 peace agreement signed with the FARC and to avoid opening a "lost fight" over reforming the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP). Santos said the accord remains in force, noting that about 85‑89 % of former combatants have complied with reintegration commitments, an unusually high rate compared with other global peace processes. He criticized previous administrations – those of Iván Duque and Gustavo Petro – for hindering implementation, and warned that any constitutional changes to the JEP would require a congressional majority the new government does not possess.

A decade after the historic signing, Colombia has recorded more than 10.2 million conflict victims, invested over 127 trillion Colombian pesos in post‑conflict programs, and reintegrated roughly 11,000 ex‑combatants. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including ongoing threats to journalists covering peace‑related issues. The upcoming presidency therefore faces a pivotal decision on whether to strengthen national reconciliation or pursue contentious judicial reforms.