Colombia's president‑elect De La Espriella demands life sentence for ex‑FARC chief Timochenko

President‑elect Abelardo De La Espriella publicly stated that former FARC commander Rodrigo Londoño (known as “Timochenko”) “must be imprisoned for life,” accusing him of continuing impunity and pledging to reform the justice system linked to the 2016 peace accord. His remarks sparked a political flare‑up, as the director of the Unit for Implementation of the Peace Agreement, Gloria Cuartas, called on the Attorney General to investigate whether the statements constitute a crime, warning they could endanger former combatants who have signed the agreement.

The controversy was heightened by the recent return of Partido Comunes president Rodrigo Londoño from a JEP‑approved trip to Spain. Londoño affirmed his commitment to the peace deal and warned, “if we become the 501st signatory murdered, welcome death,” underscoring concerns over the safety of peace signatories. Legal experts clarified that the president cannot unilaterally order imprisonment, and any change to the Special Jurisdiction for Peace would require legislative and possibly constitutional reforms. The debate highlights tensions between calls for stricter accountability and the institutional safeguards built into Colombia’s transitional justice framework.