Chronology of Events

Colombia

April 2023

On 13 April, the Council held an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on Colombia. The briefers were Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the UN Ivan Šimonović (in his capacity as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission),  and President of the Comunes Party Rodrigo Londoño.

On 17 April, Council members issued a press statement on Colombia (SC/15259). In it, they stressed the importance of ensuring the comprehensive implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace signed in 2016 between the government of Colombia and the former rebel group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP).

January 2023

On 11 January, the Council held an open briefing followed by closed consultations on Colombia. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed. The Council was also briefed by Armando Wouriyu Valbuena, a representative of the Special High-level Instance for Ethnic Groups (IEANPE). The IEANPE was created by the 2016 Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace between the government of Colombia and the former rebel group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) to monitor the implementation of provisions related to the agreement’s ethnic chapter.

Prior to the briefing, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2673, expanding the mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia to monitor the implementation of the chapter on comprehensive rural reform and the ethnic chapter of the 2016 agreement.

On 13 January, Council members issued a press statement on Colombia (SC/15175). In it, they welcomed the renewed momentum for making progress on the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement, including advancements made on such issues as rural reform. Members reiterated that tackling violence remains vital for the consolidation of peace in Colombia, adding that the adoption and implementation of a public policy for dismantling criminal organisations and their support networks would be a significant step towards violence reduction.

October 2022

On 12 October, the Council held an open briefing on Colombia. The briefers were Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Muhammad Abdul Muhith (in his capacity as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission), and Elizabeth Moreno Barco, legal representative of the Community General Council of San Juan, an organisation that defends the rights of Afro-Colombian communities.

On 14 October, Council members issued a press statement on Colombia. In it, they welcomed the commitment expressed by Colombian President Gustavo Petro Urrego to deepen the 2016 peace agreement’s implementation and seek broader peace with other illegal armed groups. Members expressed concern regarding the pervasive effects of violence on communities, social leaders, and former combatants, with a disproportionate impact on women and on indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. They also reiterated the need to accelerate the implementation of the ethnic and gender provisions of the 2016 agreement.

On 27 October, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2655, renewing the mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia for one year, until 31 October 2023.

July 2022

On 14 July, the Security Council held an open briefing on Colombia (S/PV.9094). Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed on recent developments and the Secretary-General’s report on the mission (S/2022/513). The Council was also briefed by Francisco de Roux, the head of Colombia’s Truth Commission, and Jineth Casso Piamba, an indigenous community leader and human rights defender.  

On the same day, Council members convened for an Arria-formula meeting titled “A Milestone Year for a Peaceful Future: Transitional Justice in Colombia”. The meeting was initiated by Ireland, in cooperation with Norway and Colombia. The briefers at the meeting were de Roux; Eamon Gilmore, the Special Envoy of the EU for the Peace Process in Colombia; Juana Inés Acosta-López, an academic expert in international law, human rights and transitional justice; and Yanet Mosquera Rivera, a social leader, human rights defender and director of the non-governmental organisation Fundacion Mujer Con Valor. 

On 22 July, Council members issued a press statement on Colombia (SC/14978). In it, they welcomed the largely peaceful conduct of elections in the country and the increase in elected women representatives in Congress. Members underscored the importance of ensuring the comprehensive implementation of the 2016 peace agreement and accelerating the implementation of its ethnic and gender provisions. They welcomed the commitment expressed by President-elect Gustavo Petro to deepen the peace agreement’s implementation and seek broader peace with other illegal armed groups. Council members also expressed their support for the Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition. In this regard, they welcomed the recent release of the Truth Commission’s final report as “an unprecedented opportunity for Colombians to come to terms with their past and as a stepping stone for long-term reconciliation and lasting peace”.

April 2022

On 12 April, the Security Council held an open briefing (S/PV.9015) on Colombia. Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on the mission (S/2022/267). President Iván Duque of Colombia represented his country at the meeting.

Duque’s public condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to Russia adopting a particularly critical tone at the 12 April meeting. Following the meeting, members were not able to agree on a press statement, apparently due to objections raised by Russia. (The issuance of a press statement following the Council’s quarterly Colombia meetings has become standard practice for Council members.)

Unusually, the 12 April Council meeting did not include a civil society briefer, a choice by the UK (penholder on Colombia and the Council president in April) criticised by many Colombian actors, including civil society and members of the Comunes party (which is comprised of former Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo members).

January 2022

On 20 January, the Security Council held an open briefing (S/PV.8951), followed by closed consultations, on Colombia. Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on the mission (S/2021/1090). The Council was also briefed by Luz Marina Giraldo, a former Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) combatant and a leader of reintegration initiatives for former combatants. This marked the first time that a former FARC-EP member has briefed the Security Council. Immediately prior to the meeting, Security Council members participated in an immersive virtual reality experience to learn more about the peace process from actors on the ground in Colombia via virtual reality headsets. On 27 January, Council members issued a press statement on Colombia (SC/14781). Among other things, members called on Colombian actors to ensure safe, peaceful and inclusive participation in the congressional and presidential elections, including the full participation of women.

October 2021

On 14 October, the Security Council convened for its quarterly meeting on Colombia (S/PV.8879). Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on the mission (S/2021/824). The Council was also briefed by Bibiana Peñaranda, the Coordinator of “Butterflies with New Wings” (a civil society organisation which helps displaced women in Buenaventura) and a representative of Afro-Colombian women in the Special Forum on Gender; and Daniela Soto, a youth leader at the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca. On 29 October, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2603, renewing the mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia for another year, until 31 October 2022.

July 2021

On 13 July, the Security Council convened for a briefing on Colombia (S/PV.8818). Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on the mission (S/2021/603). On 16 July, Council members issued a press statement (SC/14583) in which they expressed support for the three components of the Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition—which is comprised of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP), the Truth Commission and the Unit for the Search for Persons Deemed as Missing—and emphasised the need to respect their autonomy.

May 2021

On 11 May, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2574, which expanded the mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia to include monitoring compliance with the sentences handed down by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP).

April 2021

On 21 April, the Security Council convened for an open VTC meeting on Colombia. Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on the mission.

January 2021

On 21 January, the Security Council convened for an open videoconference (VTC) meeting, followed by a closed VTC session, on Colombia. Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on the mission (S/2020/1301). On 28 January, Council members issued a press statement (SC/14425), which expressed grave concern over the targeting and killing of former combatants, social leaders, and indigenous, Afro-Colombian and other communities. They also welcomed the Colombian government’s request for the expansion of the Verification Mission’s mandate to verify implementation of the sentences of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP) and undertook to give this request prompt consideration.

October 2020

On 14 October, the Security Council convened for an open briefing on Colombia via VTC (S/2020/1023). Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed on recent developments and the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on the mission (S/2020/943). On 19 October, Council members issued a press statement which strongly condemned the killingsincluding those of children and young people—that have occurred in Colombia in recent months (SC/14332). They further urged the National Commission on Security Guarantees to finalise and implement a public policy to dismantle illegal armed groups. 

July 2020

On 14 July, the Security Council convened for an open briefing followed by closed consultations on Colombia. The meeting took place in the Economic and Social Council chamber, part of the morning of the first in-person meetings since 12 March for Council members. Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed on recent developments and the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on the mission (S/2020/603). The Council was also briefed by Clemencia Carabalí Rodallega, a representative of the Municipal Association of Women in the north of Cauca department. Both briefings were conducted via VTC. On 16 July, Council members issued a press statement which expressed concern over the targeting and killing of former combatants, social leaders, and indigenous, Afro-Colombian and other community leaders, which have continued unabated despite the COVID-19 pandemic (SC/14255). Council members recalled resolution 2532, which endorsed the appeal of the Secretary-General for a global ceasefire in response to COVID-19, and called on the parties in Colombia to halt violence and facilitate a pandemic response. Council members further took note of the request made by the parties and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP) for a role for the Verification Mission in monitoring the implementation of sanctions imposed by the SJP, as envisioned by the 2016 Final Peace Agreement. 

April 2020

On 14 April, Security Council members convened an informal open VTC meeting, followed by a closed VTC meeting, on the situation in Colombia. Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu briefed the Council on recent developments and the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on the missionCouncil members were also briefed by David Santiago Cano Salazar, a civil society youth leader from Colombia who shared his personal experience in leading and participating in projects to support the reintegration of ex-combatants from the former rebel group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP). On 17 April, Council members adopted a press statement in which they reiterated their unanimous support for the peace process in Colombia. They expressed grave concern over the attacks against human rights defenders, community and social leaders, including those from indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, and former FARC-EP members. They further urged the regular convening of the National Commission on Security Guarantees and called for progress in developing a public policy to dismantle illegal armed groups. 

January 2020

On 13 January, the Security Council was briefed by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Carlos Ruiz Massieu on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on the UN Verification Mission in Colombia and the most recent developments. On 15 January, Council members issued a press statement in which they reiterated “their full and unanimous support” for the peace process. Among other things, they expressed serious concern about grave security conditions in various parts of the country as well as the continued targeting of community and social leaders and former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army members. They welcomed progress by the three components of the Integral System for Truth, Justice, Reparation, and Non-repetition and stressed the critical role these components play in the peace process and the need for them to be able to work independently and autonomously.

October 2019

On 10 October, the Council received a briefing on Colombia from the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on Colombia and the most recent developments. The briefing was followed by consultations. On 15 October, Council members issued a press statement, reiterating their unanimous support for the peace process in Colombia while deploring a recent announcement by a group of former fighters that they would return to armed activity. The statement expressed concerns about the killings of community and social leaders as well as candidates running in the 27 October local and departmental elections. In the statement, members reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with Colombia in achieving progress in the implementation of the peace agreement.

July 2019

The co-leads of the 11-14 July visiting mission to Colombia, Ambassador Gustavo Meza-Cuadra (Peru) and Jonathan Allen (UK), briefed the Council on the visit on 19 July. Also on 19 July, the Council was briefed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu on the 27 June report of the Secretary-General. Foreign Minister of Peru Néstor Popolizio chaired the meeting, and Foreign Minister of Colombia Carlos Holmes Trujillo participated as well. On 23 July Council members adopted a press statement stressing the importance of implementing the peace agreement as an interlocking set of commitments.

April 2019

On 12 April, the Council was briefed by Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, on the Secretary-General’s latest report. Rosa Emilia Salamanca, the Executive Director of the civil society organisation Corporación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica, briefed the Council as well. Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo participated in the meeting. On 16 April, Council members adopted a press statement reiterating their call for full respect for the Special Jurisdiction for Peace’s independence and autonomy. 

January 2019

On  18 January, Council members condemned a terrorist attack at the General Police Academy in Bogotá the day before. On 23 January, the Council received a briefing from Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. The meeting was chaired by Miguel Vargas, the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic, and included the participation of the Foreign Minister of Colombia, Carlos Holmes Trujillo. The discussion focused on the latest report of the Secretary-General. On 24 January, Council members issued a press statement reiterating their full and unanimous support for the peace process in Colombia and sharing the assessment set out in the report of the Secretary-General.

August 2018

On 26 July, the Security Council received a briefing from Jean Arnault, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, followed by consultations. Arnault presented the 20 July report of the Secretary-General, which takes stock of what has been achieved so far, but also points out some of the main challenges for the future. Vice President of Colombia Óscar Naranjo also spoke at the meeting. In a 27 July press statement, Council members reaffirmed their commitment to continuing to work with Colombia as it implements the peace agreement in order to secure a lasting peace in the months and years ahead.

April 2018

On 19 April, the Council was briefed by Jean Arnault, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, on the Secretary-General’s latest report on Colombia. The briefing was followed by consultations. Óscar Naranjo, the Vice President of Colombia, participated in the meeting as well. In a press statement adopted later that day, Council members welcomed positive developments and expressed concern about continued insecurity in some of the conflict-affected areas, in particular the killings of community and social leaders.

January 2018

On 10 January, the Council received a briefing on the UN Verification Mission in Colombia from Special Representative Jean Arnault, focusing on the Secretary-General’s recent report on Colombia. The briefing was followed by consultations. On the same day, members issued a press statement in which they “urged continued momentum towards full implementation of the peace agreement” with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) and hoped that the Colombian government and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) “would resume work to agree a renewal and strengthening of the ceasefire…”.

October 2017

On 5 October, the Council adopted resolution 2381, expanding the mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. The resolution tasks the mission with monitoring the bilateral and temporary ceasefire agreed to by the Government of Colombia and the Ejército de Liberación Nacional. The Council authorised the deployment of no more than 70 additional international observers to help the mission take on this further responsibility. Also on 5 October, the Council adopted a presidential statement recognising the work of the UN Mission in Colombia and welcoming the remarkable achievements in Colombia following the 2016 agreement.

September 2017

On 14 September, the Council adopted resolution 2377 approving the Secretary-General’s recommendations regarding the size, operational aspects, and mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, contained in his 30 August report.

July 2017

On 10 July, the Council adopted resolution 2366, establishing the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, a successor mission to the current UN Mission in Colombia (S/PV.7997). The adoption followed a 5 June letter to the Council and the Secretary-General from Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón conveying the request of the parties to establish the mission in accordance with the Final Agreement. The resolution also calls on the UN Mission in Colombia to start “provisional work anticipated by the Verification Mission…within its current configuration and capacity” up until the time its mandate ends on 25 September.

June 2017

A 5 June letter from Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos to the Council conveyed the request of the parties to establish a new UN verification mission, with a regional and local presence, by 10 July. On 30 June, the Council received a briefing from Jean Arnault, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Mission in Colombia, followed by consultations. Council members were briefed on the 23 June report of the Secretary-General, which focused on the final stages of the implementation of the mandate of the UN Mission in Colombia and provided recommendations for the new verification mission to be deployed after 26 September.

May 2017

From 3 to 5 May the Council carried out a visiting mission to Colombia in order to demonstrate its commitment to the peace process in the country. In a presidential statement adopted on 11 May, the Council acknowledged the significant challenges involved in the implementation of the peace agreement and welcomed the progress made by the parties and their commitment to achieving peace. On 16 May, the UK and Uruguay briefed the Council as co-leads of the visiting mission.

January 2017

On 11 January, there was a Council briefing by Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Mission in Colombia Jean Arnault, followed by consultations. Arnault updated Council members on the implementation of the mission’s mandate and the challenges highlighted in the Secretary-General’s latest report.

December 2016

On 1 December, Council members welcomed the ratification by the Colombian Congress of the new Final Peace Agreement between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia–People’s Army and congratulated all those who worked constructively in the consultations over recent weeks to produce a new Agreement. Also in December, through an exchange of letters with the Secretary-General, the Council noted that the UN Mission in Colombia is proceeding to implement the full range of its mandated tasks as set out in resolutions 2261 and 2307, following the signing, ratification and entry into force of the final peace agreement (S/2016/1063 and S/2016/1070).

October 2016

On 18 October, Council members met in consultations with the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Mission in Colombia, Jean Arnault, and the mission’s chief observer General Javier Perez Aquino. The meeting was the first Council discussion on Colombia following the 2 October referendum, in which a narrow majority of 50.2 percent of voters rejected the 24 August peace agreement between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP.

September 2016

On 13 September, the Council adopted resolution 2307 approving the Secretary-General’s 18 August recommendations on the size, operational aspects and mandate of the UN Mission in Colombia. On 21 September, the Council was briefed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia delivered a short statement and presented the peace agreement between the Colombian government and FARC-EP to the Council.

August 2016

On 26 August, Council members were briefed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Mission in Colombia, Jean Arnault, on the recommendations included in an 18 August report of the Secretary-General on the size, operational aspects and mandate of the UN Mission in Colombia (S/2016/729).

June 2016

On 23 June, Council members welcomed the historic agreements reached in Havana between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP (SC/12419).

January 2016

On 25 January, the Council adopted resolution 2261, establishing a political mission to monitor and verify the laying down of arms and the bilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities between the Government of Colombia and the FARC-EP (S/PV.7609). The adoption follows a 19 January letter to the Council from Colombia that included the Joint Communiqué issued by the government and FARC-EP in Havana on 19 January (S/2016/53).

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