Bogotá (ICRC) - The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric concluded a three-day visit to Colombia at a critical moment in the conflict.
"Nine years after the signing of the peace agreement, the sharp deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the country this year should serve as a warning that more must be done to respect the rules of war and ensure civilians are protected from harm," President Spoljaric said. "This is critical to saving lives and preserving pathways to peace."
Over the past year, hostilities have intensified and respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) has diminished, putting the lives and dignity of thousands at grave risk. From January to September, the ICRC documented more IHL violations than the entire previous year combined, while displacements surged by 113%. This deterioration is occurring against a backdrop of escalating tensions across the region.
During her three-day visit, President Spoljaric met with Colombia's President Gustavo Petro and Minister of Defense Pedro Sánchez. The discussions were part of ICRC's long-standing confidential dialogue with Colombian authorities on pressing humanitarian issues and IHL. She also met with Dr. Judith Carvajal de Álvarez, President of the Colombian Red Cross.
President Spoljaric traveled to Cauca, where she met with communities near the frontline who shared their concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation. Civilians in the area face numerous risks, including sexual violence, disappearance and explosive hazards.
"What I heard in Cauca reflects the reality many families face across the country," President Spoljaric said. "Children are disproportionately affected as conflict endangers their lives and safety and robs them of their education and childhood. If this pattern continues, it will fuel cycles violence for generations to come. We will continue to engage with all parties to conflict on their IHL obligations, including child protection, for as long as it takes because communities in Colombia deserve dignity, peace and stability."
The ICRC has worked in Colombia for 55 years, promoting IHL through confidential dialogue with the government and non-state armed groups. Colombia is ICRC's largest operation in the Americas, with teams working across the country to reduce conflict-related risks, provide emergency relief and support to civilians, help the wounded and the sick, visit people deprived of their liberty and search for missing people. The ICRC, as a neutral humanitarian intermediary, has also facilitated the release of people deprived of their liberty and supported the 2016 peace negotiations and implementation of the agreement. ICRC staff continue to provide technical advice on IHL, the legal protections it offers in conflict and other humanitarian concerns in ongoing negotiation processes between the parties.
