# Colombia security policy shift toward military offensive

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/colombia-security-policy-shift-toward-military-offensive
> Updated: 2026-09-27T05:00:00.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

Colombia is transitioning from the ‘Paz Total’ strategy, which focused on simultaneous negotiations with multiple armed organizations, toward a security policy centered on direct military offensive operations and deterrence. Under the administration of Abelardo de la Espriella, the government has ended various socio-legal dialogue tables and closed temporary relocation zones for militants, stating that peace must be guaranteed through “the legitimate force of the Republic’s laws and arms.”

This policy shift follows a period where critics noted that criminal structures expanded territorial control and increased extortion, with cases rising from 9,791 in 2022 to over 13,000 in 2024. The humanitarian situation remains critical; the Defensoría del Pueblo reported thousands of victims of forced displacement and confinement in early 2026, while 1,173 cases of child recruitment by illegal groups were recorded between 2024 and July 2026.

To combat these groups, the government has implemented measures including resuming aerial bombardments, lifting the general suspension on weapon permits, and creating Urban Security Defense Blocks (Bodsu). Recent developments in Santa Marta, following the neutralization of leaders from the Autodefensas Conquistadores de la Sierra Nevada, led to violent retaliation and the immediate militarization of the city. While rapid security deployments have provided short-term stability for economic corridors, the administration continues to focus on punitive territorial control and the strict application of criminal law to neutralize illegal economies.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Colombia shifts public order strategy toward military deterrence

Colombia is shifting from a dialogue-based peace strategy to one of military deterrence and strict law enforcement following security deterioration and violence in regions like Santa Marta.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-shifts-public-order-strategy-toward-military-deterrence

### 2026-09-24: Colombia shifts security strategy amid child recruitment crisis

Colombia is shifting its security strategy, moving away from 'total peace' dialogues toward military force while facing ongoing challenges with child recruitment by illegal armed groups.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-shifts-security-strategy-amid-child-recruitment-crisis

### 2026-09-24: Colombia shifts security strategy toward direct offensive against armed groups

Colombia is shifting from Gustavo Petro’s ‘Paz Total’ negotiation strategy to a direct military offensive against criminal groups following rising extortion and territorial control by paramilitary organizations

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombia-shifts-security-strategy-toward-direct-offensive-against-armed-groups

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Cite as: Colombia security policy shift toward military offensive. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/colombia-security-policy-shift-toward-military-offensive