Video
Was the Colombian Peace Process worth it?
1982
2010
2012
2016
Precedents
1982 - 2010
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.
Nov 19 1982
Law 35 of 1982, which decrees an amnesty and issues provisions aimed at re-establishing and preserving peace, is enacted.
Mar 28 1984
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.
May 29 1984
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.
Mar 30 1985
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.
Mar 9 1986
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.
Jul 22 1986
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.
Jun 16 1987
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.
Apr 30 1991
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.
May 15 1991
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.
May 15 1991
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.
Jun 1 1991
Negotiating tables are set up in Caracas, Venezuela, to end the armed conflict between the Simón Bolívar Guerrilla Coordinating Body and the national government.
Mar 10 1992
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.
May 4 1992
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.
Jun 9 1998
President-elect Andrés Pastrana meets with the FARC-EP’s commander-in-chief, Manuel Marulanda Vélez (“Tirofijo”).
Jan 7 1999
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.
Feb 9 2001
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.
Oct 5 2001
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.
Oct 17 2001
The FARC-EP rejects the new conditions established by the national government and leaves the dialogue table.
Feb 20 2002
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.
Sep 1 2002
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.
Sep 4 2003
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.
Jun 4 2007
As a gesture of goodwill, the national government unilaterally releases Rodrigo Granda and another 150 imprisoned guerrillas to achieve a humanitarian agreement.
Feb 27 2008
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.
Jul 2 2008
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.
Jun 20 2010
Exploratory Phase
2010 - 2012
The exploratory phase of the talks between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP took place between September 2010 and August 2012. 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.
What was the origin of the dialogues between the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP in 2012?
Aug 7 2010
Juan Manuel Santos takes office as President of Colombia.
Dec 6 2010
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.
Jan 21 2011
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.
May 1 2011
The FARC-EP designates Mauricio Jaramillo and Timoleón Jiménez as part of their delegation for the exploratory meeting.
Jun 10 2011
Nov 4 2011
Alfonso Cano, FARC-EP commander, is killed in Operation Odiseo.
Dec 7 2011
Meeting between Hugo Chávez, president of Venezuela, and Timoleón Jiménez, commander-in-chief of the FARC-EP.
Feb 26 2012
The first exploratory meeting between representatives of the government and the FARC-EP is held in Havana, Cuba.
Jul 31 2012
The Legal Framework for Peace (Legislative Act 01 of 2012) is enacted.
Aug 26 2012
Signing of the General Agreement to End the Armed Conflict and Build a Stable and Lasting Peace.
Sep 4 2012
Public address from President Juan Manuel Santos on the General Agreement to End the Armed Conflict and Build a Stable and Lasting Peace.
Sep 4 2012
Statement from Timoleón Jiménez, commander-in-chief of the FARC-EP, on the General Agreement to End the Armed Conflict.
Conversations Phase
2012 - 2016
On October 18, 2012, the Negotiations Table was installed, thus initiating the public phase of the process to be carried out in Havana, with the objective of reaching agreements on the six points of the agenda. On August 24, 2016, a first Final Agreement was reached, which was signed in Cartagena a month later.
The challenges of negotiating during wartime
Sep 5 2012
Statement from President Juan Manuel Santos on appointing a government team for peace negotiations.
Sep 19 2012
Appointment of the government’s delegation to the Negotiation Table: plenipotentiaries and alternate negotiators (Resolution 339 of 2012).
Sep 19 2012
Recognition of FARC-EP members as representatives at the Negotiation Table (Resolution 350 of 2012).
Oct 18 2012
Installation of the Negotiation Table in Oslo, Norway.
Nov 29 2012
The parties reach an agreement to launch the website www.mesadeconversaciones.com.co and agree on the format for citizen participation via physical means.
Dec 7 2012
Dec 17 2012
The Citizen Participation Forum on Comprehensive Agrarian Development Policy, point 1 on the negotiation agenda, is held.
Apr 9 2013
Apr 28 2013
The Forum on Political Participation is held on point 2 of the negotiation agenda.
May 15 2013
The parties reach an agreement on point 1: Towards a New Colombian Countryside: Comprehensive Rural Reform.
Jul 25 2013
A public hearing convened by the Constitutional Court on the Legal Framework for Peace is held.
Sep 24 2013
The National Forum on the Solution to the Illicit Drugs Problem is held on point 4 of the negotiation agenda.
Oct 1 2013
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.
Oct 23 2013
The National Summit of Women and Peace is held in Bogotá.
Nov 6 2013
The parties reach an agreement on point 2 of the agenda: Political Participation: A Democratic Opportunity to Build Peace.
Nov 26 2013
María Paulina Riveros and Nigeria Rentería are appointed as plenipotentiaries of the government delegation at the Negotiation Table (Resolution 321 of 2013).
Dec 4 2013
The FARC-EP proposes including a commission on the historical truth of the Colombian internal conflict.
May 12 2014
The parties reach an agreement on point 4 of the negotiation agenda: Solution to the Illicit Drugs Problem.
May 25 2014
Jun 7 2014
Public statement by the parties on the guiding principles for discussing point 5, Victims, and the establishment of the Gender Subcommittee.
Jun 7 2014
The agreement for creating the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict (STFC, in Spanish) is announced.
Jun 15 2014
Second round of the presidential elections. Juan Manuel Santos is re-elected as president.
Jul 5 2014
The Regional Victims Forum in Villavicencio is held.
Jul 11 2014
The Regional Victims Forum in Barrancabermeja is held.
Jul 18 2014
The Regional Victims Forum in Barranquilla is held.
Aug 3 2014
The National Victims Forum is held in Cali.
Aug 16 2014
The first group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
Aug 22 2014
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP set up the Historical Commission on the Conflict and its Victims.
Aug 22 2014
Installation of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict.
Sep 10 2014
The second group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
Sep 24 2014
The Negotiation Table publishes draft agreements reached on points 1, 2, and 4.
Oct 2 2014
The third group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
Nov 2 2014
The fourth group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
Dec 15 2014
Within the framework of the Gender Subcommittee, the first delegation of women’s organizations visits Havana.
Dec 16 2014
The fifth group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
Dec 17 2014
The FARC-EP declares an indefinite unilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.
Dec 18 2014
The FARC-EP asks for forgiveness from Bojayá victims.
Feb 2 2015
The Negotiation Table meets with the members of the Historical Commission on the Conflict and its Victims.
Feb 11 2015
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.
Feb 27 2015
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.
Mar 5 2015
Installation of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict.
Mar 7 2015
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP at the Negotiation Table reach an agreement on demining.
Mar 10 2015
President Santos creates an Advisory Commission for Peace with representatives from the country’s different population segments.
May 22 2015
The FARC-EP declares a suspension of the unilateral ceasefire.
May 27 2015
María Ángela Holguín and Gonzalo Restrepo are appointed as plenipotentiaries of the government’s delegation to the Negotiation Table (Resolution 091 of 2015).
Jul 12 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.
Jul 25 2015
The president orders the suspension of bombings against the FARC-EP.
Sep 15 2015
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.
Sep 18 2015
Meeting of the group of jurists delegated by the Negotiation Table in Bogotá, which achieves a draft agreement on the point of justice.
Sep 23 2015
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.
Oct 9 2015
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.
Nov 6 2015
Meeting of the group of jurists delegated by the President, with the representatives of FARC-EP in the Negotiation Table.
Nov 12 2015
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.
Nov 18 2015
Meeting of the justice group to consolidate the definitive version of the agreement on justice.
Dec 7 2015
The National Land Agency, Rural Development Agency, and Territory Renewal Agency are created (Decrees 2363, 2364, and 2366 of 2015).
Dec 9 2015
The parties reach an agreement on the entirety of point 5: Agreement on the Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparations, and Non-Recurrence.
Dec 10 2015
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.
Jan 16 2016
Meeting of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict with Jean Arnault, delegate of the United Nations Secretary-General.
Jan 17 2016
The delegations of the National Government and the FARC-EP meet with Cuban President Raúl Castro.
Jan 19 2016
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.
Feb 8 2016
The Forum on the End of the Conflict and Implementation, Verification, and Endorsement is held on points 3 and 6.
Feb 10 2016
The FARC-EP publicly renounces the recruitment of minors under the age of eighteen.
Mar 14 2016
Representatives of organizations on the search for persons deemed as missing arrive in Havana.
Mar 21 2016
Meeting of the government’s negotiating team with United States Secretary of State John Kerry.
Apr 29 2016
The delegations of the National Government and the FARC-EP formally begin discussions on point 6, Implementation, Verification, and Endorsement.
May 15 2016
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.
Jun 2 2016
Agreement to receive representatives of indigenous, Roma, Afro-Colombian, black, Palenquero, and Raizal communities.
Jun 10 2016
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.
Jun 23 2016
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.
Jun 26 2016
Delegates from ethnic groups visit the Negotiation Table to include an ethnic approach in point 6.
Jul 7 2016
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).
Jul 18 2016
The Constitutional Court approves the plebiscite as a mechanism to endorse the Peace Agreement with the FARC-EP.
Jul 24 2016
The delegations of the National Government and the FARC-EP present the results of including a gender perspective in the agreements.
Aug 5 2016
The parties reach an agreement on protocols for the ceasefire and laying down of arms, which accompany the agreement on these issues.
Aug 12 2016
The parties reach an agreement on selection mechanisms for magistrates of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
Aug 24 2016
Agreement reached. The delegations announce that they have reached a final, comprehensive, and definitive agreement.
Aug 24 2016
Aug 24 2016
The statutory law establishing the terms of the plebiscite for the Final Agreement’s endorsement is passed (Statutory Law 1806 of 2016).
Aug 26 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.
Sep 15 2016
President Juan Manuel Santos acknowledges the State’s responsibility in the case of the Patriotic Union (UP, in Spanish).
Sep 17 2016
The FARC-EP holds its Tenth Conference, the organization’s highest decision-making body, in which it ratifies its support for the Final Agreement.
Sep 23 2016
The FARC-EP acknowledges its responsibility in the La Chinita massacre in Apartadó, Antioquia.
Sep 26 2016
The parties officially sign the Agreement to End the Armed Conflict and Build a Stable and Lasting Peace in Cartagena, Colombia.
Oct 2 2016
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
2016
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.
How was the Peace Agreement renegotiated?
Oct 2 2016
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.
Oct 2 2016
President Santos acknowledges the plebiscite results and calls for a Great National Dialogue with different segments of society.
Oct 3 2016
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.
Oct 7 2016
The awarding of the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize to President Juan Manuel Santos is announced.
Oct 13 2016
Meeting of the Government Dialogue Commission during the Great National Dialogue with those promoting the “No” vote.
Oct 13 2016
Meeting of President Juan Manuel Santos with government delegates for the Great National Dialogue.
Oct 20 2016
Temporary Pre-Grouping Points are established (Resolution 282 of 2016) for placing FARC-EP members while the Great National Dialogue progresses.
Oct 31 2016
Meeting of government delegates with “No” representatives during the Great National Dialogue.
Nov 2 2016
Meeting of government delegates with “No” representatives during the Great National Dialogue.
Nov 12 2016
The parties announce that they have reached a new Final Agreement in Havana.
Nov 24 2016
The parties officially sign the new Final Agreement in the city of Bogotá.
Nov 28 2016
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
2016 - present
This phase started on December 1, 2016, and with it began the process of laying down arms and reincorporation into civilian life of the FARC-EP, the oldest and most powerful guerrilla group on the continent.
Jun 29 2016
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.
Dec 1 2016
The parties officially announce the start of the Final Agreement’s implementation (D-Day) after its endorsement.
Dec 7 2016
Creation of the Commission for Monitoring, Promoting, and Verifying the Implementation of the Final Agreement (CSIVI, in Spanish) (Decree 1995 of 2016).
Dec 7 2016
Creation of the National Reincorporation Council (Decree 2027 of 2016).
Jan 29 2017
FARC-EP members begin moving towards the local zones (zonas veredales) to begin the laying down of arms process.
Mar 1 2017
The United Nations Mission begins its work to verify the FARC-EP’s process of laying down arms.
Mar 15 2017
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.
Apr 4 2017
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.
Apr 5 2017
The Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Recurrence Commission is organized through Decree 588 of 2017.
Apr 5 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.
Apr 11 2017
The CSIVI provides guidelines to launch the Special Forum for the Implementation of the Gender-Based Approach and its objectives.
May 28 2017
The Development Programs with a Territorial Focus (PDETs, for their Spanish acronym) are created through Decree 893 of 2017.
May 29 2017
The National Comprehensive Program for the Substitution of Crops Used for Illicit Purposes is established through Decree 896 of 2017.
May 29 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).
Jul 6 2017
The process of FARC-EP members individually laying down their arms begins.
Aug 15 2017
The process of removing the containers of FARC-EP weapons in the local zones (zonas veredales) is finalized.
Sep 22 2017
The process of disabling and destroying the weapons to build three agreed-upon monuments begins.
Mar 11 2018
Former FARC combatants exercise their right to vote in Congressional elections for the first time.
Mar 15 2018
Jul 9 2018
The Political Opposition Statute is adopted through Law 1909 of 2018.
Jul 10 2018
Opening of Case No. 2 in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace: “Territorial Situation in the Ricaurte, Tumaco, and Barbacoas Municipalities of Nariño”.
Jul 17 2018
Opening of Case No. 3 in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace: “Deaths Illegitimately Presented as Casualties in Combat by State Agents”.
Jul 20 2018
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).
Sep 11 2018
Opening of Case No. 4 in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace: “Territorial Situation in the Urabá Region”.
Nov 8 2018
Opening of Case No. 5 in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace: “Territorial Situation in the Northern Cauca and Southern Valle de Cauca Regions”.
Feb 26 2019
Opening of Case No. 6 in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace: “Victimization of Patriotic Union Members”.
Mar 1 2019
Opening of Case No. 7 in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace “Recruitment and Use of Children in the Armed Conflict”.
Dec 24 2019
Jan 8 2021
Aug 25 2021
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.
Oct 1 2021
Nov 24 2021
The fifth anniversary of the Peace Agreement’s signing is commemorated.
Dec 22 2021
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.
Jan 28 2022
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.
Mar 13 2022
In the 2022 legislative elections, the election of the 16 seats of the Special Transitory Peace Electoral Districts for the House of Representatives is held. The National Registry Office (Registraduría) reports a vote of approximately 553.664 people out of 1.246.634 eligible voters.
Jun 28 2022
The Truth Commission publicly releases, at the Jorge Eliecer Gaitán Theatre in Bogotá, its final report on what happened during Colombia’s armed conflict.
Jul 15 2022
Opening of Case No. 10 in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace “Crimes not eligible for amnesty, committed by members of the ex Farc-EP, because of, or in direct or indirect connection with the Colombian armed conflict”.
Aug 16 2022
The Special Jurisdiction for Peace and the UN Verification Mission in Colombia sign a protocol to formalize the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism for the implementation of JEP’s Special Sanctions
Oct 2 2022
The Government reactivates the Commission for Monitoring, Promotion and Verifying the Implementation of the Final Agreement (CSIVI) and the National Commission for Security Guarantees (CNGS).
Comprehensive Rural Reform
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.
The importance of the countryside in the Peace Agreement
Sep 5 2012
Statement from President Juan Manuel Santos on appointing a government team for peace negotiations.
Nov 25 2012
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.
Dec 17 2012
The Citizen Participation Forum on Comprehensive Agrarian Development Policy, point 1 on the negotiation agenda, is held.
Jan 10 2013
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP receive the proposals presented at the Comprehensive Agrarian Development Policy Forum.
May 15 2013
The parties reach an agreement on point 1: Towards a New Colombian Countryside: Comprehensive Rural Reform.
Political Participation
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.
Exchanging bullets for votes
Mar 21 2013
The parties announce a forum on political participation and logistical preparatory meetings with the National University (Universidad Nacional) and the United Nations Office in Colombia (joint communiqué).
Apr 28 2013
The Forum on Political Participation is held on point 2 of the negotiation agenda.
Aug 23 2013
President Juan Manuel Santos calls the government delegation back to Bogotá for consultations in the context of the discussion on political participation.
Nov 6 2013
The parties reach an agreement on point 2 of the agenda: Political Participation: A Democratic Opportunity to Build Peace.
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.
An innovating solution to the eternal drug problem
Aug 26 2013
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP request that the United Nations Office in Colombia and the National University’s Center for Reflection and Monitoring the Peace Talks (Centro de Pensamiento y Seguimiento al Diálogo de Paz de la Universidad Nacional) organize a forum on point 4, Solution to the Illicit Drugs Problem.
Sep 24 2013
The National Forum on the Solution to the Illicit Drugs Problem is held on point 4 of the negotiation agenda.
Oct 1 2013
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.
Nov 29 2013
The United Nations Office in Colombia and the National University (Universidad Nacional) deliver the results of the forum on point 4.
Dec 6 2013
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) presentation to the Negotiation Table.
Dec 17 2013
The Negotiation Table conducts direct consultations on point 4 with Ricardo Vargas, Darío Fajardo, Rodrigo Uprimny, Francisco Thoumi, Alfredo Molano, the Association of Women Farmers from the Rosas Municipality (Asociación de Mujeres Agricultoras del Municipio de Rosas – ASMAR), the CRISTACAÑA Business and Agricultural Association (Asociación Empresarial y Agropecuaria), and the Association of Rubber Producers and Marketers (Asociación de Productores y Comercializadores de Caucho – ASOPROCAUCHO).
Dec 18 2013
The Negotiation Table welcomes Ricardo Vargas and Darío Fajardo as experts on point 4, Solution to the Illicit Drugs Problem.
Dec 19 2013
The Negotiation Table welcomes delegates, both men and women, from ASMAR of Cauca; CRISTACAÑA of Vistahermosa, Meta; and ASOPROCAUCHO of El Retorno, Guaviare, in order to learn about their experience in the process of substituting illicit crops and rebuilding community networks and legal economies.
May 12 2014
The parties reach an agreement on point 4 of the negotiation agenda: Solution to the Illicit Drugs Problem.
Jun 10 2016
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.
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.
The role of victims in the Peace Agreement
Jul 24 2013
The President of the Republic launches the National Center for Historical Memory’s report, Basta Ya!
Dec 4 2013
The FARC-EP proposes including a commission on the historical truth of the Colombian internal conflict.
Jun 7 2014
Public statement by the parties on the guiding principles for discussing point 5, Victims, and the establishment of the Gender Subcommittee.
Jun 7 2014
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP request that the United Nations Office in Colombia and the National University’s Center for Reflection and Monitoring the Peace Talks (Centro de Pensamiento y Seguimiento al Diálogo de Paz de la Universidad Nacional) organize forums on point 5, Victims.
Jul 5 2014
The Regional Victims Forum in Villavicencio is held.
Jul 6 2014
Beginning of a series of preparatory meetings for round 27 on the victims point. First preparatory meeting.
Jul 7 2014
Completion of a series of preparatory meetings for round 27 on the victims point. First preparatory meeting.
Jul 11 2014
The Regional Victims Forum in Barrancabermeja is held.
Jul 15 2014
Beginning of a series of preparatory meetings for round 27 on the victims point. Second preparatory meeting.
Jul 17 2014
Completion of a series of preparatory meetings for round 27 on the victims point. Second preparatory meeting.
Jul 18 2014
The Regional Victims Forum in Barranquilla is held.
Jul 27 2014
Beginning of a series of preparatory meetings for round 27 on the victims point. Third preparatory meeting.
Jul 29 2014
Completion of a series of preparatory meetings for round 27 on the victims point. Third preparatory meeting.
Aug 3 2014
The National Victims Forum is held in Cali.
Aug 4 2014
Beginning of a series of preparatory meetings for round 27 on the victims point. Fourth preparatory meeting.
Aug 5 2014
Completion of a series of preparatory meetings for round 27 on the victims point. Fourth preparatory meeting.
Aug 15 2014
The first group of victims travels to Havana.
Aug 16 2014
The first group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
Aug 22 2014
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP set up the Historical Commission on the Conflict and its Victims.
Sep 2 2014
The Negotiation Table welcomes Javier Ciurlizza, an expert in truth commissions.
Sep 3 2014
The Negotiation Table welcomes Mark Freeman, an expert on truth commissions.
Sep 11 2014
The delegations of the government and the FARC-EP receive the proposals presented at the citizen participation forums on the victims point.
Oct 2 2014
The third group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
Oct 25 2014
The Negotiation Table welcomes Marcy Mersky and María Camila Moreno, experts on truth commissions.
Nov 2 2014
The fourth group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
Dec 16 2014
The fifth group of victims meets with the delegations at the Negotiation Table.
Dec 18 2014
The FARC-EP asks for forgiveness from Bojayá victims.
Feb 2 2015
The Negotiation Table meets with the members of the Historical Commission on the Conflict and its Victims.
Feb 27 2015
Bernie Aronson, the United States Special Envoy to the Colombian Peace Process, and Kevin Whitaker, United States Ambassador to Colombia, visit Havana.
Apr 28 2015
Enrique Santos, special delegate of President Juan Manuel Santos, is sent to Havana to support the development of the peace talks.
May 25 2015
The government’s delegation meets with Zainab Bangura, United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Jul 26 2015
Douglas Cassel, Juan Carlos Henao, and Manuel José Cepeda, legal advisors to the government, arrive in Havana to meet for the first time with the attorneys of the FARC-EP’s legal group to address the issue of justice.
Jul 27 2015
First meeting of the government’s legal advisors with plenipotentiaries from the National Government’s delegation to exchange views on the point of justice.
Jul 30 2015
First meeting of the Review of the Legal Situation of Persons Deprived of Liberty working group, made up of government and FARC-EP delegates.
Aug 28 2015
Meeting of legal advisors with the government’s delegation in Havana to address the point of justice.
Sep 18 2015
Meeting of the group of jurists delegated by the Negotiation Table in Bogotá, which achieves a draft agreement on the point of justice.
Sep 23 2015
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.
Oct 9 2015
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.
Nov 10 2015
Meeting of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict with Jean Arnault, delegate of the United Nations Secretary-General, to discuss issues related to the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism.
Nov 18 2015
Meeting of the justice group to consolidate the definitive version of the agreement on justice.
Nov 23 2015
Meetings of the delegations of the government and the FARC-EP with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross to address the issue of the search protocol for persons deemed as missing.
Nov 27 2015
Dec 9 2015
The parties reach an agreement on the entirety of point 5: Agreement on the Comprehensive System for Truth, Justice, Reparations, and Non-Recurrence.
Feb 15 2016
The Technical Investigation Team (CTI, in Spanish) and the Attorney General’s Office of Colombia (Fiscalía General de la Nación) initiate activities to search for, locate, identify, and return in a dignified manner the remains of persons disappeared due to the armed conflict in the cemetery of La Macarena, Meta.
Mar 14 2016
The human rights ombudsman presents a plan of recommendations in order to strengthen institutional capacities and victims’ participation in searching for, locating, identifying, and returning in a dignified manner the remains of persons deemed as missing.
Mar 14 2016
Representatives of organizations on the search for persons deemed as missing arrive in Havana.
Aug 12 2016
The parties reach an agreement on selection mechanisms for magistrates of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
Sep 15 2016
President Juan Manuel Santos acknowledges the State’s responsibility in the case of the Patriotic Union (UP, in Spanish).
Sep 23 2016
The FARC-EP acknowledges its responsibility in the La Chinita massacre in Apartadó, Antioquia.
End of Conflict
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.
How was the end of the armed conflict with the FARC-EP
Feb 8 2014
Meeting of the FARC-EP’s delegation with members of the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace to address the situation of individuals deprived of their liberty.
Feb 24 2014
Discussion begins on the possibility of creating a Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict that would discuss the ceasefire.
Mar 6 2014
Second meeting of the FARC-EP’s delegation with members of the Office of the High Commissioner for Peace to address the situation of individuals deprived of their liberty.
Jun 7 2014
The agreement for creating the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict (STFC, in Spanish) is announced.
Aug 22 2014
Early meeting of members from the delegations of the government and the FARC-EP who will be part of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict.
Aug 22 2014
The formation of the government delegation to the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict is authorized (Resolution 227 of 2014).
Aug 22 2014
Installation of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict.
Dec 17 2014
The FARC-EP declares an indefinite unilateral ceasefire and cessation of hostilities.
Feb 9 2015
The Frente Amplio por la Paz travels to Havana to present its analysis of the unilateral ceasefire declared by the FARC-EP.
Feb 12 2015
Announcement by the FARC-EP on the non-incorporation of minors into its ranks.
Mar 4 2015
The Negotiation Table conducts direct consultations on points 3 and 6 (Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict) with Major General (Retired) Julio Arnoldo Balconi Turcios (Government – Guatemala), Rodrigo Sandino Asturias Valenzuela (former guerrilla – Guatemala), and General (Retired) Luis Alejandro Sintes (Spanish Army – UN observer).
Mar 23 2015
The Negotiation Table conducts new direct consultations on points 3 and 6 (Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict) with Jean Arnault (UN), Major General Mauricio Ernesto Vargas (Government – El Salvador), José Luis Merino (former guerrilla – El Salvador), and Colonel (Retired) Prudencio García (Spanish Army – UN observer).
Mar 26 2015
Technical Subcommittee meeting on point 3, End of the Conflict, to listen and discuss international experiences in disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration.
Apr 17 2015
The Negotiation Table conducts a new round of direct consultations on points 3 and 6 (Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict) with Aracelly Santana (Ecuador – UN), Jeffrey Mapendere (former guerrilla – Zimbabwe), Yon Medina Vivanco (Peru – UN), and Julian Thomas Hottinger.
May 22 2015
The FARC-EP declares a suspension of the unilateral ceasefire.
Jul 23 2015
First formal meeting of the Security Guarantees Group, made up of government and FARC-EP delegates, to address this subpoint on End of the Conflict.
Sep 15 2015
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.
Oct 6 2015
Meeting of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict with UN and UNASUR delegates.
Nov 5 2015
Meeting of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict’s members with the demining pilot project’s team.
Nov 12 2015
Meeting of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict with the United Nations Secretary-General delegate, Jean Arnault, and UNASUR’s Pro Tempore Presidency delegate, José Bayardi.
Dec 10 2015
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.
Jan 16 2016
Meeting of the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict with Jean Arnault, delegate of the United Nations Secretary-General.
Jan 19 2016
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.
Jan 23 2016
The Negotiation Table receives progress reports from the Technical Subcommittee for Ending the Conflict and the Security Guarantees Working Group.
Feb 8 2016
The Forum on the End of the Conflict and Implementation, Verification, and Endorsement is held on points 3 and 6.
Feb 10 2016
The FARC-EP publicly renounces the recruitment of minors under the age of eighteen.
Feb 15 2016
The United Nations and the Center for Reflection and Monitoring the Peace Talks (Centro de Pensamiento y Seguimiento al Diálogo de Paz) deliver the results of the forum on points 3 and 6.
Feb 18 2016
The President of the Republic suspends FARC-EP delegates’ educational visits to their camps in Colombia after the incident in the Conejo rural settlement in Fonseca, La Guajira.
Mar 14 2016
Enrique Santos arrives in Havana to meet with the government’s delegation and the FARC-EP commander, Timoleón Jiménez.
Mar 21 2016
Meeting of the government’s negotiating team with United States Secretary of State John Kerry.
May 15 2016
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.
May 19 2016
Installation of the technical working group for the protocol to release minors under fifteen years of age from FARC-EP camps.
Jun 23 2016
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.
Aug 5 2016
The parties reach an agreement on protocols for the ceasefire and laying down of arms, which accompany the agreement on these issues.
Aug 9 2016
In Colombia, delegates from the government, the FARC-EP, and the UN begin technical visits to the places where the Transitory Local Zones for Normalization (ZVTN, in Spanish) and the Transitional Points for Normalization (PTN, in Spanish) will be located.
Aug 24 2016
Technical visits to the Transitory Local Zones for Normalization (ZVTN, in Spanish) and Transitional Points for Normalization (PTN, in Spanish) conclude.
Aug 26 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.
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.
Apr 29 2016
The delegations of the National Government and the FARC-EP formally begin discussions on point 6, Implementation, Verification, and Endorsement.
May 12 2016
The parties reach an agreement to provide the Final Agreement with legal security and stability.
Aug 24 2016
The statutory law establishing the terms of the plebiscite for the Final Agreement’s endorsement is passed (Statutory Law 1806 of 2016).
Sep 17 2016
The FARC-EP holds its Tenth Conference, the organization’s highest decision-making body, in which it ratifies its support for the Final Agreement.
Sep 26 2016
The parties officially sign the Agreement to End the Armed Conflict and Build a Stable and Lasting Peace in Cartagena, Colombia.
Oct 2 2016
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.
Welcome to the Open Library of the Colombian Peace process
The Open Library of the Colombian Peace Process (BAPP in Spanish) seeks to be the most complete interactive knowledge center about the peace process between the Colombian government and the FARC-EP. It will therefore be frequently updated to include new content that complements the different sections.
What's new?
Infographic
Previous peace negotiations attempts with the FARC-EP
Learn more about the previous efforts by governments the had tried to end the conflict with the FARC-EP through a negotiated solution, since 1982: the duration of the dialogues, the role of the international community, the agenda for the conversations and the results.
Article
Abbreviations
Here you will find the list and definition of the acronyms that are in the Final Agreement and in other publications of the BAPP.
Historical Archive
SEE ALL
Exploratory Phase (August 7, 2010-August 26, 2012)
Enrique Santos Calderón's speech in the exploratory meeting
Exploratory Phase (August 7, 2010-August 26, 2012)
Letter from president Hugo Chávez to president Juan Manuel Santos 28/12/11
Renegotiation Phase (August 27-November 30, 2016)
Joint communication: training for ceasefire monitoring begins
Conversations Phase (August 27, 2012-August 26, 2016)
To the represenatives of Cuba and Norway
Renegotiation Phase (August 27-November 30, 2016)
Communication from expresident Álvaro Uribe Vélez
Conversations Phase (August 27, 2012-August 26, 2016)
