Colombia, Parliament approves the law that archives Petro's 'total peace'

The Colombian Congress has definitively approved the law on the submission of criminal organizations to justice, a reform that replaces the so-called "Total Peace" approach promoted by the previous government of Gustavo Petro. The House of Representatives gave the green light with 95 votes in favor and 10 against, after approval by the Senate. President Abelardo De La Espriella celebrated the result on social media, stating on X that "the false total peace is over" and thanking the Minister of Justice, Iván Cancino.

The legislation excludes the recognition of political status to armed groups and does not provide for political negotiations or the suspension of arrest warrants or extraditions.

Instead, it establishes sentence reductions of up to 50% for rank-and-file members and 30% for leaders, in exchange for the surrender of weapons and illicit goods, the cessation of criminal activities and judicial collaboration with the authorities. Minimum sentences of ten years are foreseen for the leaders, reports the Colombian television Ntn24, specifying that the text now passes to presidential sanction.