Colombia Marks Decade Since Peace Accord; Cali Event Reflects on Progress

Colombia is commemorating the 10th anniversary of the final peace agreement, signed on November 24, 2016, between the government and the FARC guerrilla group. The accord aimed to end decades of conflict marked by forced disappearances, kidnappings, and assassinations. A regional commemorative event took place in Cali, highlighting the agreement's impacts on the Valle del Cauca region and southwestern Colombia.

The negotiation process involved 190 adjustments to the text, addressing concerns from those who voted against the accord in a plebiscite. Beyond ending the armed confrontation, the agreement sought to transform structural causes of conflict through citizen participation, dignify victims, promote development in violence-affected territories, and foster reconciliation for a more inclusive society committed to non-repetition.

However, a report from EL TIEMPO indicated that as of the previous year, only 53% of the 201 trillion pesos allocated for the agreement's 15-year implementation had been invested. The country remains deeply fractured and polarized, with significant political, social, and territorial divisions evident, particularly highlighted during recent presidential elections. This situation underscores the ongoing need to evaluate progress, learn lessons, and address the challenges that continue to fuel violence and insecurity.

During the commemorative event in Cali, representatives from various public and private entities discussed the achievements, lessons learned, and the path forward. The discussions emphasized the necessity for renewed commitments from both society and the state to consolidate advances and project a new phase in the pursuit of a stable and lasting peace.