Conflict and violence have been raging in Colombia since the mid-1960s. It has involved many different groups over the years; the most well-known is the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) guerilla group, but the Colombian military, other guerilla groups, paramilitary groups, and drug cartels are also parties to the conflict. 

More than 450,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, with around 7 million people displaced from their homes. Nearly a decade after the 2016 peace accord between the FARC and the government, violence has reemerged in new forms, with an increased presence of armed groups fighting to control territory vacated by FARC after they demobilized. 

Despite current President Gustavo Petro’s “total peace” strategy, 2025 was marked by one of the worst humanitarian tolls in a decade. Municipalities and state governments often lack sufficient funding to assist victims, and national government assistance has often been slow and insufficient. 

Foreign aid cuts by the United States government have further hindered the response to the humanitarian crises, including by UN entities. The areas of the country hit hardest by the deep aid cuts are the territories with the least state presence, where drug and other illicit economies thrive amid an absent rule of law and a lack of other economic opportunities. Additionally, the run-up to Colombia’s May 2026 legislative and presidential elections has been marred by violence, including the killing of congressman and would-be presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay in June 2025, the first assassination of a presidential candidate in Colombia in three decades. 

The United Church of Christ remains committed to its long-term, justice-focused support for the people of Colombia through our accompaniment with partners through Global Ministries (Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ). 

As Colombians go to the polls, the United States must show its support for peace in Colombia by reinstating humanitarian aid, including for the continued implementation of the peace accords, and not returning to the failed “War on Drugs” policies particularly conditioning aid on forced eradication of coca crops and a solely military response.