The ELN—Colombia’s largest active guerilla group—later replied with a statement issued on Tuesday claiming that they did not agree to such a ceasefire and clarified they would only analyze a ceasefire proposal during the ongoing negotiations.
[2022] was not an easy year for anyone. Unfortunately, we cannot say that 2023 will be any easier. Here are the top risks that Colombia will face in 2023.
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Vice President Francia Márquez, and Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva at the Casa de Nariño as the first stop on his week-long trip to Colombia, Chile, and Peru.
On Sunday, Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez assumed the roles of president and vice president, respectively, of Colombia in an inauguration ceremony held in the Plaza Bolívar of Bogotá.
Colombia’s landmark Estatuto de Protección Temporal for Venezuelan migrants and refugees has brought relief to many Venezuelans in Colombia who require legal status to find jobs, secure access to the public health system, and sign up for a bank account, among other benefits. While Colombia could do more to ensure the full social and economic integration of this migrant population, the government is hamstrung by its own fiscal constraints, high unemployment, and political polarization. The international community must heed this urgent call to action before it is too late.
Colombians have the opportunity on October 2nd to vote on the historic peace accord signed last month between the Colombian government and the FARC. Despite overwhelming international support, the vote is controversial and looks like it will be close. The question is, what other choice is there really?
