1982
2010
2012
2016
History
Preceded by confrontations between liberal and conservative guerillas in the period of Colombian history known as “La Violencia” (The Violence), the armed conflict between the state and the FARC-EP can be traced back to the 1960s. The FARC-EP guerilla group formed in 1964, and its guerilla structures spread and evolved in different regions of Colombia over the following decades.
Law 35 of 1982, which decrees an amnesty and issues provisions aimed at re-establishing and preserving peace, is enacted.
The FARC-EP guerrillas and the national government sign the first ceasefire agreement, known as the “Uribe Accord” (Los Acuerdos de La Uribe). Peace negotiations formally begin between the insurgent movement and President Belisario Betancur’s government.
The National Verification Commission is created, which aims to ensure the fulfillment of the Uribe Accord. The Commission’s members included Horacio Serpa, Álvaro Leyva Durán, and Fernando Cepeda Ulloa, among others.
In La Uribe, Meta, the FARC-EP announces the creation of the Patriotic Union (UP, for its Spanish acronym). This political party is part of a process of political, economic, and social organization that the FARC-EP had been carrying out since November 1984.
The Patriotic Union (UP, for its Spanish acronym) participates in congressional elections for the first time. Five senators, nine House representatives, 20 departmental representatives, and 353 councilpersons are elected.
John Agudelo Ríos submits his resignation to the Peace, Dialogue, and Verification Commission. Days later, the other members resign, dissolving the Commission and ending negotiations.
The FARC-EP ambushes National Army members at the Quebrada Riecito in the Puerto Rico municipality, Caquetá. 26 soldiers are killed, and an additional 44 are wounded. This event breaks the ceasefire between the national government and the insurgent movement, concluding this period of negotiations.
The joint negotiating table between the national government and the Simón Bolívar Guerrilla Coordinating Body (CGSB, for its Spanish acronym) is formed. The CGSB is made up of the FARC-EP, the ELN, and the EPL’s remaining members.
On May 15, 16, and 17, delegates from the Simón Bolívar Guerrilla Coordinating Body and the national government meet in Cravo Norte, Arauca. A first consensus is reached regarding the negotiation agenda, and they agree to continue dialogues in Caracas, Venezuela.
On May 15, 16, and 17, delegates from the Simón Bolívar Guerrilla Coordinating Body and the national government meet in Cravo Norte, Arauca. A first consensus is reached regarding the negotiation agenda, and they agree to continue dialogues in Caracas, Venezuela.
Negotiating tables are set up in Caracas, Venezuela, to end the armed conflict between the Simón Bolívar Guerrilla Coordinating Body and the national government.
A new round of negotiations between the Simón Bolívar Guerrilla Coordinating Body and the national government begins in Tlaxcala, Mexico. The parties reach first agreements and publish a joint communiqué on March 13, calling all segments of society to join the dialogue.
As a result of former minister Argelino Durán’s death in captivity, peace talks between the national government and the Simón Bolívar Guerrilla Coordinating Body are suspended. Although the parties considered resuming talks in October of that same year, this did not ultimately happen, officially concluding this period of negotiations.
President-elect Andrés Pastrana meets with the FARC-EP’s commander-in-chief, Manuel Marulanda Vélez (“Tirofijo”).
The negotiating table between the national government and the FARC-EP is installed, with President Andrés Pastrana present. Manuel Marulanda Vélez (“Tirofijo”), FARC-EP commander-in-chief, does not attend the ceremony. Negotiations move forward in the midst of armed confrontation.
In the midst of a crisis, followed by various acts of violence in the country, President Andrés Pastrana and Manuel Marulanda Vélez (“Tirofijo”) meet. They reach the Los Pozos Agreement.
Negotiators from the national government and the FARC-EP sign the San Francisco de la Sombra Agreement. In it, the parties commit to studying the possibility of a ceasefire and call on different segments of society to contribute proposals to the peace process.
The FARC-EP rejects the new conditions established by the national government and leaves the dialogue table.
The FARC-EP hijacks the HK 3951 plane, which was covering the Neiva–Bogotá route. They force it to land on a road in El Hobo, Huila, and kidnap then-senator Jorge Eduardo Géchem Turbay. With this event, the peace talks break down.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Peace, under instructions from the Office of the President, requests aid and good offices from the United Nations Secretary-General in pursuit of a humanitarian agreement with the FARC-EP guerrillas.
Monsignor Luis Augusto Castro and Father Darío Echeverry hold a meeting with Raúl Reyes to explore the possibility of a humanitarian agreement. Another meeting is held on December 27 of that same year.
As a gesture of goodwill, the national government unilaterally releases Rodrigo Granda and another 150 imprisoned guerrillas to achieve a humanitarian agreement.
With the International Committee of the Red Cross’s support and the Venezuelan government’s mediation, kidnapped individuals Gloria Polanco, Jorge Géchem, Luis Eladio Pérez, and Orlando Beltrán are released.
The National Army carries out “Operation Jaque,” freeing 15 kidnapped individuals. Former presidential candidate Íngrid Betancourt and United States contractors Keith Stansell and Marc Gonsalves are among those freed.
Exploratory Phase
The exploratory phase of the talks between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP took place between September 2010 and August 2012.
Between September 2010 and February 2012, the government and the FARC-EP exchanged written messages and communiques through third party delegates. The idea behind these exchanges, the majority of them using a method titled “letter-message,” was to explore the possibility of a negotiated solution to the conflict between the two parties and to identify possible points of interest and steps to make such a negotiation viable. These exchanges were held until the formal meeting of the parties in February 2012 in Havana, Cuba.
Juan Manuel Santos takes office as President of Colombia.
Letter to Henry Acosta from Pablo Catatumbo. Conclusions regarding the President of the Republic’s proposal to hold a first meeting between government and FARC-EP delegates.
Letter to Henry Acosta from Pablo Catatumbo. Response regarding Mauricio Jaramillo’s future presence and guidelines for the first preparatory meeting, including a proposal for Ricardo Téllez to attend on behalf of the FARC-EP.
The FARC-EP designates Mauricio Jaramillo and Timoleón Jiménez as part of their delegation for the exploratory meeting.
Alfonso Cano, FARC-EP commander, is killed in Operation Odiseo.
Meeting between Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela, and Timoleón Jiménez, commander-in-chief of the FARC-EP.
The first exploratory meeting between representatives of the government and the FARC-EP is held in Havana, Cuba.
The Legal Framework for Peace (Legislative Act 01 of 2012) is enacted.
Signing of the General Agreement to End the Armed Conflict and Build a Stable and Lasting Peace.
Public address from President Juan Manuel Santos on the General Agreement to End the Armed Conflict and Build a Stable and Lasting Peace.
Statement from Timoleón Jiménez, commander-in-chief of the FARC-EP, on the General Agreement to End the Armed Conflict.
Conversations Phase
Having arrived at an agreement about the agenda and the rules for talks during the exploratory phase (referred to as the General Agreement), the Negotiating Table opened on October 18, 2012. With this milestone, the public phase of the talks began in Havana, Cuba to reach agreements over the six items on the agenda: comprehensive rural development, political participation, ending the conflict, solving the problem of illicit drugs, victims, and the implementation, verification and ratification of any agreements.
Statement from President Juan Manuel Santos on appointing a government team for peace negotiations.
Appointment of the government’s delegation to the Negotiation Table: plenipotentiaries and alternate negotiators (Resolution 339 of 2012).
Recognition of FARC-EP members as representatives at the Negotiation Table (Resolution 350 of 2012).
Installation of the Negotiation Table in Oslo, Norway.
The parties reach an agreement to launch the website www.mesadeconversaciones.com.co and agree on the format for citizen participation via physical means.
The Citizen Participation Forum on Comprehensive Agrarian Development Policy, point 1 on the negotiation agenda, is held.
The Forum on Political Participation is held on point 2 of the negotiation agenda.
The parties reach an agreement on point 1: Towards a New Colombian Countryside: Comprehensive Rural Reform.
A public hearing convened by the Constitutional Court on the Legal Framework for Peace is held.
The National Forum on the Solution to the Illicit Drugs Problem is held on point 4 of the negotiation agenda.
The Regional Forum on the Solution to the Illicit Drugs Problem is held in San José del Guaviare, Guaviare, on point 4 of the negotiation agenda.
The National Summit of Women and Peace is held in Bogotá.
The parties reach an agreement on point 2 of the agenda: Political Participation: A Democratic Opportunity to Build Peace.
María Paulina Riveros and Nigeria Rentería are appointed as plenipotentiaries of the government delegation at the Negotiation Table (Resolution 321 of 2013).
The FARC-EP proposes including a commission on the historical truth of the Colombian internal conflict.
The parties reach an agreement on point 4 of the negotiation agenda: Solution to the Illicit Drugs Problem.
Public statement by the parties on the guiding principles for discussing point 5, Victims, and the establishment of the Gender Subcommittee.
The agreement for creating the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict (STFC, in Spanish) is announced.
Second round of the presidential elections. Juan Manuel Santos is re-elected as president.
The Regional Victims Forum in Villavicencio is held.
The Regional Victims Forum in Barrancabermeja is held.
The Regional Victims Forum in Barranquilla is held.
The National Victims Forum is held in Cali.
The first group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP set up the Historical Commission on the Conflict and its Victims.
Installation of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict.
The second group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
The Negotiation Table publishes draft agreements reached on points 1, 2, and 4.
The third group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
The fourth group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
Within the framework of the Gender Subcommittee, the first delegation of women’s organizations visits Havana.
The fifth group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
The FARC-EP declares an indefinite unilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.
The FARC-EP asks for forgiveness from Bojayá victims.
The Negotiation Table meets with the members of the Historical Commission on the Conflict and its Victims.
Men and women representatives from organizations of women victims, small-scale farmers, indigenous people, Afro-descendant people, former combatants, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex persons, as well as human rights defenders and leaders, meet with the Gender Subcommittee to present their proposals.
Meeting of the delegations of the government and the FARC-EP with Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the Negotiation Table.
Installation of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict.
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP at the Negotiation Table reach an agreement on demining.
President Santos creates an Advisory Commission for Peace with representatives from the country’s different population segments.
The FARC-EP declares a suspension of the unilateral ceasefire.
María Ángela Holguín and Gonzalo Restrepo are appointed as plenipotentiaries of the government’s delegation to the Negotiation Table (Resolution 091 of 2015).
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP reach an agreement on accelerating the work in Havana and de-escalating offensive actions in Colombia, and the creation of a legal group to discuss the point on justice is formalized, made up of three lawyers designated by the President and three lawyers designated by the FARC-EP.
The president orders the suspension of bombings against the FARC-EP.
The Negotiation Table meets with delegates of the United Nations Secretary-General, led by Jean Arnault, and of UNASUR’s Pro Tempore Presidency, Uruguay, led by José Bayardi.
Meeting of the group of jurists delegated by the Negotiation Table in Bogotá, which achieves a draft agreement on the point of justice.
First meeting in Havana between President Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC-EP’s commander-in-chief, Timoleón Jiménez; in which it is announced the Special Jurisdiction for Peace agreement.
An agreement is announced on immediate confidence-building measures to contribute to searching for, locating, identifying, and returning the remains of persons deemed as missing in the context of and due to the armed conflict, and the creation of the Special Unit for the Search for Persons Deemed as Missing.
Meeting of the group of jurists delegated by the President, with the representatives of FARC-EP in the Negotiation Table.
A group of businesspeople meets with the delegations of the government and the FARC-EP at the Negotiation Table and issues a statement expressing their support for the peace process.
Meeting of the justice group to consolidate the definitive version of the agreement on justice.
The National Land Agency, Rural Development Agency, and Territory Renewal Agency are created (Decrees 2363, 2364, and 2366 of 2015).
The parties reach an agreement on the entirety of point 5: Agreement on the Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparations, and Non-Recurrence.
The Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict meets and prepares a draft of the agreement on the bilateral and definitive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities and the laying down of arms.
Meeting of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict with Jean Arnault, delegate of the United Nations Secretary-General.
The delegations of the National Government and the FARC-EP meet with Cuban President Raúl Castro.
The delegations of the National Government and the FARC-EP announce the creation of a tripartite mechanism for monitoring and verifying the agreement on the bilateral and definitive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities and laying down of arms.
The Forum on the End of the Conflict and Implementation, Verification, and Endorsement is held on points 3 and 6.
The FARC-EP publicly renounces the recruitment of minors under the age of eighteen.
Representatives of organizations on the search for persons deemed as missing arrive in Havana.
Meeting of the government’s negotiating team with United States Secretary of State John Kerry.
The delegations of the National Government and the FARC-EP formally begin discussions on point 6, Implementation, Verification, and Endorsement.
The delegations of the National Government and the FARC-EP announce an agreement on releasing minors under fifteen years of age from FARC-EP camps.
Agreement to receive representatives of indigenous, Roma, Afro-Colombian, black, Palenquero, and Raizal communities.
The delegations of the National Government and the FARC-EP announce the implementation of the voluntary substitution agreement for illicit crops in the Briceño municipality, Antioquia.
The parties sign an agreement on the bilateral and definitive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, security guarantees, and the fight against criminal organizations, signed by President Juan Manuel Santos and the FARC-EP’s commander-in-chief, Timoleón Jiménez.
Delegates from ethnic groups visit the Negotiation Table to include an ethnic approach in point 6.
The legislative act covering the “fast track” process and special presidential powers for six months is issued to expedite the implementation of a Final Agreement (Legislative Act 01 of 2016).
The Constitutional Court approves the plebiscite as a mechanism to endorse the Peace Agreement with the FARC-EP.
The delegations of the National Government and the FARC-EP present the results of including a gender perspective in the agreements.
The parties reach an agreement on protocols for the ceasefire and laying down of arms, which accompany the agreement on these issues.
The parties reach an agreement on selection mechanisms for magistrates of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
Agreement reached. The delegations announce that they have reached a final, comprehensive, and definitive agreement.
The statutory law establishing the terms of the plebiscite for the Final Agreement’s endorsement is passed (Statutory Law 1806 of 2016).
President Juan Manuel Santos, by means of Decree 1386, orders a bilateral and definitive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities between the National Government and the FARC-EP.
President Juan Manuel Santos acknowledges the State’s responsibility in the case of the Patriotic Union (UP, in Spanish).
The FARC-EP holds its Tenth Conference, the organization’s highest decision-making body, in which it ratifies its support for the Final Agreement.
The FARC-EP acknowledges its responsibility in the La Chinita massacre in Apartadó, Antioquia.
The parties officially sign the Agreement to End the Armed Conflict and Build a Stable and Lasting Peace in Cartagena, Colombia.
The plebiscite is held as an endorsement mechanism so that Colombian society may vote in favor of or against the Final Agreement reached in Havana.
Renegotiation Phase
The renegotiation phase constitutes the period from August 24 to November 30 of 2016. First, on October 2, the Final Agreement that was reached in Havana was submitted to a popular vote for approval (through a plebiscite). After the defeat of the Agreement in this public poll, a new Agreement was built based on the proposals from different sectors of society for adjustments and refinements. The Congress of the Republic, between November 29 and 30, ratified the new Final Agreement, giving way to the implementation phase of the agreements.
The National Civil Registry announces that “No” won with 6,431,376 votes (50.1%) of the total vote. “Yes” obtained 6,377,482 votes (49.78%). The difference was 53,894 votes.
President Santos acknowledges the plebiscite results and calls for a Great National Dialogue with different segments of society.
Meetings with spokespersons from the “Yes” and “No” sides begin, thus beginning the Great National Dialogue after the disapproval of the Final Agreement in the plebiscite.
The awarding of the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize to President Juan Manuel Santos is announced.
Meeting of the Government Dialogue Commission during the Great National Dialogue with those promoting the “No” vote.
Meeting of President Juan Manuel Santos with government delegates for the Great National Dialogue.
Temporary Pre-Grouping Points are established (Resolution 282 of 2016) for placing FARC-EP members while the Great National Dialogue progresses.
Meeting of government delegates with “No” representatives during the Great National Dialogue.
Meeting of government delegates with “No” representatives during the Great National Dialogue.
The parties announce that they have reached a new Final Agreement in Havana.
The parties officially sign the new Final Agreement in the city of Bogotá.
The Council of State issues a favorable decision on the Final Agreement’s ratification by Congress (Decision No. 2323 of the Chamber of Civil Service and Consultation [Sala de Consulta y Servicio Civil]).
Implementation Phase
A premise of the peace process was the necessary end to armed confrontations between the Colombian state and the FARC-EP, as a condition for the FARC-EP’s transition to a political movement and civilian life, and as a way to develop the conditions for implementing the Agreement and building peace in affected regions. This situation required a process of laying down arms and of transition into lawfulness on the part of FARC-EP members (what is known in the international literature as disarmament and demobilization).
The Framework Plan for Implementation (PMI, for its Spanish acronym) is formally established, with pillars, strategies, products, measurable goals, and indicators necessary for implementing the Final Agreement.
The parties officially announce the start of the Final Agreement’s implementation (D-Day) after its endorsement.
Creation of the Commission for Monitoring, Promoting, and Verifying the Implementation of the Final Agreement (CSIVI, in Spanish) (Decree 1995 of 2016).
Creation of the National Reincorporation Council (Decree 2027 of 2016).
FARC-EP members begin moving towards the local zones (zonas veredales) to begin the laying down of arms process.
The United Nations Mission begins its work to verify the FARC-EP’s process of laying down arms.
The CSIVI provides guidelines to launch the Special High-Level Forum with Ethnic Peoples (IEANPE, for its Spanish acronym) to monitor the Final Agreement’s implementation.
Legislative Act 01 of 2017 creates a title of transitory provisions to the Constitution to end the armed conflict and build a stable and lasting peace, in addition to issuing other provisions.
The Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Recurrence Commission is organized through Decree 588 of 2017.
The Special Unit for the Search for Persons Deemed as Missing in the context of and due to the armed conflict is organized through Decree 589 of 2017.
The CSIVI provides guidelines to launch the Special Forum for the Implementation of the Gender-Based Approach and its objectives.
The Development Programs with a Territorial Focus (PDETs, for their Spanish acronym) are created through Decree 893 of 2017.
The National Comprehensive Program for the Substitution of Crops Used for Illicit Purposes is established through Decree 896 of 2017.
Measures are adopted to facilitate implementing the comprehensive rural reform laid out in the Peace Agreement in terms of land, specifically the procedure for access and land titling and the Land Fund (Decree 902 of 2017).
The process of FARC-EP members individually laying down their arms begins.
The process of removing the containers of FARC-EP weapons in the local zones (zonas veredales) is finalized.
The process of disabling and destroying the weapons to build three agreed-upon monuments begins.
Former FARC combatants exercise their right to vote in Congressional elections for the first time.
Opening of Case No. 1, “Hostage-Taking and Other Serious Deprivations of Liberty,” in the JEP.
The Political Opposition Statute is adopted through Law 1909 of 2018.
Opening of Case No. 2, “Territorial Situation in the Ricaurte, Tumaco, and Barbacoas Municipalities of Nariño,” in the JEP.
Opening of Case No. 3, “Deaths Illegitimately Presented as Casualties in Combat by State Agents,” in the JEP.
For the first time in Congress, members of the FARC political party occupy ten seats (5 in the House of Representatives and 5 in the Senate) for two legislative periods (8 years).
Opening of Case No. 5, “Territorial Situation in the Northern Cauca and Southern Valle de Cauca Regions,” in the JEP.
Legislative Act 02 of 2021, creating 16 special peace seats in Congress for victims of the armed conflict, is passed after more than two years in Congress and a Constitutional Court review.
The fifth anniversary of the Peace Agreement’s signing is commemorated.
The National Registry Office (Registraduría) presents the official list of candidates registered to run for the Special Transitory Peace Voting Districts. A total of 398 registered candidates will compete for 16 seats in the House of Representatives.
The Constitutional Court declares an unconstitutional state of affairs regarding the security guarantees promised to individuals in the process of reincorporation under the Peace Agreement.
Comprehensive Rural Reform Policy Agreement
Item 1 contains the agreement regarding the Comprehensive Rural Reform (RRI according to its Spanish initials), which seeks to ensure the wellbeing of rural residents by deeply transforming their reality. This transformation is focused on bringing development to rural areas, eradicating rural poverty and ensuring the full enjoyment of citizen’s rights in rural areas.
Statement from President Juan Manuel Santos on appointing a government team for peace negotiations.
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP announce a forum on the agrarian issue, to receive civil society’s opinions on this matter.
The Citizen Participation Forum on Comprehensive Agrarian Development Policy, point 1 on the negotiation agenda, is held.
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP receive the proposals presented at the Comprehensive Agrarian Development Policy Forum.
The parties reach an agreement on point 1: Towards a New Colombian Countryside: Comprehensive Rural Reform.
Political Participation Agreement
Item 2 contains the agreement regarding political participation. This agreement is a unique opportunity to advance in the broadening and deepening of our democratic system.
Though the nation took big steps toward a true democratic opening with the 1991 Political Constitution—allowing new political parties and movements to enter the political arena, as well as proclaiming fundamental values and principles that have strengthened political institutions—, many of those values and principles have not materialized, largely due to the internal armed conflict. As such, it was necessary to reach some agreements regarding this subject.
Agreement on the Solution to the Problem of Illicit Drugs
Item 4 contains the agreement regarding the solution to the problem of illicit drugs, which promotes a distinct and differentiated treatment of the phenomena of consumption, the problem of illicit crops, and the organized crime associated with drug trafficking. This agreement additionally ensures a general focus on human rights and public health with differentiated gender and ethnicity perspectives.
Given that the cultivation, production and commercialization of illicit drugs has intersected, fueled and financed the internal conflict, resolving the drug problem in these regions contributes to non-repetition of the conflict.
Victims
Item 5 contains the agreement regarding victims of the conflict, which leads to the creation of the Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparations and Non-repetition.
End of Conflict
Bilateral and Definitive Ceasefire and Cessation of Hostilities
Item 3 contains agreements regarding the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, the laying down of arms, the reincorporation of the FARC-EP into civilian life, and safety guarantees. These agreements are intended to put an end to the armed conflict, to guarantee an effective transition of the FARC-EP from an armed organization to a political party or movement, and to create conditions that will impede new outbreaks of violence and new war victims.
The approach to the subjects in this item begins from the premise that, to solve the problems that prolonged the armed conflict for over fifty years, rifles must be silenced and there must be minimal safety requirements for transforming territories that were historically affected by armed confrontations.
Implementation, Verification and Ratification
Given the importance of guaranteeing the implementation of the agreements reached, between July and August of 2016, the Government and the FARC-EP discussed as the sixth and last item on the agenda, the mechanisms related to the implementation and verification of the Final Agreement.