Members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have confirmed they will not seek asylum abroad, according to Pastor Alape, a former member of the FARC’s old leadership who now sits on the Comunes political party. This statement comes amid uncertainty over the future of the peace agreement signed with the government in Havana ten years ago and the institutions created under its terms. With the incoming president, Abelardo De La Espriella, set to take office, questions have arisen regarding the fate of the FARC signatories and the mechanisms established through the peace deal. Alape emphasized that the FARC members would remain in Colombia to support the implementation of the peace agreement. He stated that the agreement was intended for the country itself, aiming to build a different nation where differences exist but dialogue can continue. “We will be here until our last breath, supporting communities, victims, and this country that still dreams of peace,” he said. His remarks were echoed by Rodrigo Granda, another former FARC leader, who expressed concern over statements made by officials in De La Espriella’s government but stressed the need to maintain dialogue to ensure the peace process moves forward. The peace agreement included the creation of special legislative districts known as Circunscripciones Transitorias Especiales de Paz (Citrep), designed to give a voice to victims of the armed conflict. These districts were meant to provide representation to areas historically affected by violence, ensuring their inclusion in national decision-making processes. However, some of these seats have come under scrutiny due to their alignment with political actors linked to former paramilitary groups. According to recent reports, ten of the sixteen Citrep seats have aligned with De La Espriella’s administration, led by Jorge Rodrigo Tovar Vélez. Some of these districts are located in regions previously controlled by paramilitary forces and currently influenced by the Ejército Gaitanista de Colombia (EGC) and the Autodefensas Conquistadoras de la Sierra Nevada (Acsn). The Citrep 3 corresponds to areas influenced by the Bloque Central Bolívar, while Citrep 4 aligns with the Bloque Catatumbo, and others follow similar patterns across various regions. These developments raise concerns about whether the Citrep seats, originally conceived to serve victims, are being used more for political gain than for advancing peace. Critics argue that the very purpose of these seats, created under the peace agreement, is to facilitate negotiated solutions to conflicts rather than become platforms for political advantage. In several Caribbean regions of Colombia, social organizations and individuals have called for continued efforts toward peace, acknowledging that while the process has had flaws, it has brought tangible relief to certain communities. In the Sierra Nevada region, including parts of the Magdalena and La Guajira departments, there is little evidence of sustained engagement by the current representative in activities related to peacebuilding. The organization backing his candidacy, known as Pa’ Vida, has also remained largely absent from public view in these territories. While it is possible that actions have taken place in other regions such as the Cesar department, this does not fully address concerns raised by some of his public statements, which have occasionally been perceived as dismissive or ironic regarding efforts to reduce violence. Former FARC leaders have warned that dismantling the peace agreement would constitute a direct attack on victims. They have urged the new government to respect the terms of the agreement and avoid undermining the progress achieved thus far. Their message is clear: the peace process must continue, even if it requires adjustments and improvements along the way. The challenge lies in ensuring that the mechanisms established under the agreement, such as the Citrep seats, are used to advance peace rather than serving political interests.
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