The 39th Periodic Report of the OAS Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP/OAS) underscores the importance of dialogue with a territorial peace approach, presents 22 recommendations addressed to 12 national government entities, and urges strengthening institutional capacities to sustain peace efforts.
In light of escalating violence by armed groups, MAPP/OAS calls for identifying challenges in the implementation of the peace policy, redirecting and reinforcing efforts, and ensuring the safe and autonomous participation of communities during Colombia's electoral process.
The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) today presented to the Permanent Council the 39th Periodic Report on the work of the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP/OAS) for the period from January 1 to June 30, 2025. The report warns that, despite efforts to consolidate territorial peace, armed violence continues to severely affect rural, ethnic, and peasant communities. During this semester, the Mission carried out 977 deployments in 161 municipalities and 295 communities, confirming humanitarian crises in regions such as Guaviare, Catatumbo, and southern Bolívar, where mass displacements, confinements, and mental health impacts persist.
The report notes that the recruitment of children and adolescents continues, while in Antioquia, Bolívar, Cauca, Chocó, Guaviare, Nariño, Norte de Santander, and Valle del Cauca, armed groups employ drones, explosives, and indiscriminate attacks, increasing risks in areas with limited state presence. "These dynamics intensify social polarization and distrust in institutions, hindering peace, stability, and the well-being of communities," stated Roberto Menéndez, Head of MAPP/OAS.
The Mission also warned of violence against social and political leaders, including the assassination of presidential pre-candidate, Miguel Uribe Turbay, and urged guaranteeing elections free from violence as an essential condition for peacebuilding. "The OAS reaffirms that protecting the civilian population is not a contingency measure, but an ethical and political obligation of all States in the hemisphere," Menéndez emphasized.
Institutional progress and challenges
The 39th Periodic Report includes 22 recommendations addressed to 12 national government entities to strengthen institutional capacities and redirect peace efforts.
Among the advances highlighted are:
• Peace dialogues with urban and rural armed groups, promoting agreements on humanitarian minimums in the Peace Dialogue Tables and Socio-Legal Conversation Spaces (MDP and ECSJ, by their Spanish acronyms).
• Implementation of the 2016 Final Peace Agreement, with progress in land access, search for the disappeared, comprehensive victim reparations, and initial rulings by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP, by its Spanish acronym).
• Launch of the RenHacemos program, aimed at eradicating coca crops and strengthening productive alternatives.
• In the pre-electoral sphere, the Mission acknowledged the enactment of Law 2453 of 2025 to prevent political violence against women, while noting the persistence of violence against social and political leaders, including the assassination of presidential pre-candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay.
Ahead of the upcoming electoral process, MAPP/OAS calls on all actors to ensure an environment of respect, security, and participation. Free and violence-free elections are an essential expression of peacebuilding in the country.
In 2026, a pivotal year for Colombia, the OAS General Secretariat invites all stakeholders to value and preserve what has been achieved, critically review pending issues, and renew collective efforts so that today's actions translate into lasting transformations for future generations.
The work carried out by MAPP/OAS is made possible thanks to the member countries of the Basket Fund: Germany, Canada, Chile, Spain, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Türkiye, whose political and financial support enables the Mission's operations in Colombia. Likewise, Norway and Switzerland, whose contributions strengthen MAPP/OAS's work with communities in the territories, in key areas such as participation and dialogue.
Access the 39th Periodic Report and its Key Highlights
