Colombian government negotiations with armed groups

Overview

The Colombian government under President Abelardo de la Espriella has implemented a significant shift in security and peace policy by officially closing all peace dialogue tables inherited from the previous administration. The government cited a lack of progress regarding disarmament and criminal surrender as the reason for ending negotiations with various FARC dissidents, the ELN, and criminal organizations such as the Clan del Golfo.

In response to the dismantling of these spaces in late August 2026, José Vicente Lesmes, a lead negotiator for the Coordinadora Nacional Ejército Bolivariano (Cneb), formally requested the resumption of peace talks. Lesmes, also known as ‘Walter Mendoza’, argued that dialogue, truth, and reconciliation are essential for stability in conflict-affected territories. The Cneb has presented eight specific demands, including the creation of a government commission to establish communication channels, civilian protection agendas, and mechanisms for justice and social reintegration.

This request follows the government’s authorization to extradite several Cneb-affiliated leaders, including Geovany Andrés Rojas, alias ‘Araña’, a leader of the Comandos de la Frontera.

Regarding the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (ACSN), President De La Espriella has rejected political negotiations or special concessions for leader Fredy Castillo Carrillo, alias ‘Pinocho’. While Castillo Carrillo expressed a willingness to surrender, the President has instructed the Ministries of Defense and Justice to coordinate a surrender process within one week that strictly adheres to legal frameworks and prioritizes the rights of victims. The administration maintains that military operations will continue against those who persist in illegal activities.

Entities

Abelardo De La Espriella · Geovany Andrés Rojas · Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada · Colombia · Coordinadora Nacional Ejército Bolivariano

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The President ordered that there will be no political negotiations or special concessions with criminal leaders. www.boyacadigital.com · www.eje21.com.co · www.colombia.com · www.minuto30.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Colombian government has closed all peace dialogue tables inherited from the previous administration. diariodelcauca.com.co · www.diariodelsur.com.co · www.hsbnoticias.com
[● 2 SOURCES] President Abelardo de la Espriella stated that university autonomy does not supersede public order. elnuevodiario.com.do · www.elespectador.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The President gave the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Justice one week to coordinate the surrender of Fredy Castillo, alias ‘Pinocho’. www.eje21.com.co · www.colombia.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The government set three non-negotiable conditions for criminal surrender: adherence to the Constitution, focus on victims' rights, and continued military offensive. www.boyacadigital.com · www.minuto30.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The government will implement a national protocol allowing police to enter university campuses to address vandalism or terrorism. elnuevodiario.com.do · www.elespectador.com

Timeline

1 day ago

[POLITICS] 13 sources
Colombia's De la Espriella closes peace dialogues and rejects criminal negotiations
President Abelardo de la Espriella has closed all inherited peace dialogues in Colombia and rejected negotiations with criminal leaders, demanding legal surrender without concessions.
1 day ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Cneb negotiator urges President De la Espriella to resume peace talks
Cneb negotiator José Vicente Lesmes has urged President Abelardo de la Espriella to restart peace talks to achieve stability in conflict zones, following the recent dismantling of dialogue spaces.

Sources

boyacadigital.com · colombia.com · diariodelcauca.com.co · diariodelsur.com.co · eje21.com.co · elespectador.com · elnorte.com.co · elnuevodiario.com.do · hsbnoticias.com · lasillavacia.com · lavozdelprm.org · lopezdoriga.com · minuto30.com · prensa-latina.cu · rnv.gob.ve

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history