Colombian candidates debate Petro Total Peace policy ahead of May 31 vote

Colombian voters will choose a new president on May 31. Candidates are debating the record of outgoing President Gustavo Petro's Total Peace policy, which sought negotiated settlements with armed groups. The policy was launched after Petro took office in 2022. Its goal was to end fighting through talks with rebels and criminal organizations.

Violence and group strength The number of active fighters rose from about 13,000 in 2022 to roughly 27,000 by the end of 2025, according to Fundación Ideas Para la Paz. The number of disputes between armed groups reached its highest level in a decade last year, a 34 percent increase from 2024.

On May 12, the Carolina Ramirez Front of the Estado Mayor Central banned road and river movement in parts of Caqueta department. Resident David Rincon said the order left residents unable to obtain food or supplies and prevented many children from attending school.

Negotiations and implementation The government reached ceasefires in 2023 with the Clan del Golfo and the Estado Mayor Central. Several of those agreements later broke down amid renewed attacks. Former FARC member Yezid Arteta, now on government negotiation teams, said the 2016 peace deal left multiple smaller groups instead of one unified organization.

He described the initial approach as assuming a left-wing government could more easily bring groups to talks. Javier Florez, director of conflict and security at Fundación Ideas Para la Paz, said simultaneous talks with multiple groups created disorder for military operations.

Laura Bonilla, deputy director of Fundación Paz y Reconciliación, has also commented on the policy's results. Only one leading candidate has pledged to continue the Total Peace plan. The others have said they would end it.