Following the dismantling of the Total Peace of Petro: Government of La Espriella recalls Armando Novoa as negotiator

The government of President De La Espriella has taken another step toward dismantling the “Paz Total” initiative launched by former president Gustavo Petro. In a recent administrative resolution, the administration revoked Armando Novoa’s role as negotiator for the previous government in peace talks with armed groups. This move marks yet another reversal of policies initiated under Petro's administration, which aimed to bring lasting peace through comprehensive dialogue with rebel factions. Armando Novoa had served as head of the delegation during negotiations with several splinter groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). These included the Coordinadora Nacional - Ejército Nacional Bolivariano and the Segunda Marquetalia. He was responsible for leading negotiation tables and defending the policy of “Paz Total,” which sought to end conflict through inclusive dialogue and demobilization. His position was central to the strategy that defined Petro’s four-year presidency. According to official documents released by the current administration, the decision to revoke Novoa’s status as a negotiator came after the Coordinadora Guerrillera del Pacífico and the Comandos de Frontera announced their withdrawal from the name of the Segunda Marquetalia. They instead declared themselves the Coordinadora Nacional Ejército Bolivariano. The government cited this shift as one of several factors that undermined the effectiveness of peace processes. It argued that such developments created fragmentation within the broader peace efforts and required reassessment of engagement strategies. In August 2026, the administration issued additional administrative acts that ended all ongoing peace dialogues with the Coordinadora Nacional del Ejército Bolivariano. These actions were part of a broader effort to dismantle the structures established by the Petro government. The president confirmed that these decisions were based on the evolving nature of the armed groups involved and the need to ensure that negotiations proceeded with clear legal and political parameters. President De La Espriella emphasized that the removal of Novoa from his negotiating role was necessary given the changing dynamics among the armed groups. The administration stated that the former president’s approach, while ambitious, had led to limited results and even contributed to the expansion of illegal armed organizations. The new government has since moved to terminate all formal channels of dialogue with these groups, effectively ending the legacy of the “Paz Total” initiative. The decision to remove Novoa reflects a broader ideological shift in the country’s approach to conflict resolution. While Petro’s government focused on reconciliation and inclusion, the current administration appears to prioritize state control and legal compliance over broad-based peace agreements. This change has been met with mixed responses from former allies and critics alike, though the focus remains on the practical implications of the policy reversal. Looking ahead, the government is likely to continue its efforts to consolidate authority over peace processes, potentially shifting towards more direct military or legal interventions rather than sustained diplomatic engagement. The fate of the remaining peace initiatives will depend on how the administration navigates the complex realities of armed conflict in the region. For now, the revocation of Armando Novoa’s role stands as a definitive break from the past.