Latest News

Colombia’s JEP Sentences Ex-FARC for Mass Kidnappings

By Richard Emblin - September 16, 2025

Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) tribunal issued its first sanctions against seven former FARC commanders, holding them responsible for kidnapping over 21,000 people. Classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity, the commanders received eight-year restorative sanctions under the 2016 peace accord.

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Ex-FARC Commanders Admit to Forcible Recruitment of More Than 18,000 Minors

By The City Paper Staff - July 10, 2025

The six former FARC commanders of the Secretariat admitted to recruiting more than 18,000 children during Colombia’s armed conflict, calling it a grave mistake before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.

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Since FARC Accord, some 1,494 minors recruited by Colombia’s armed groups

By The City Paper Staff - May 9, 2025

Illegal armed groups operating in Colombia are increasingly turning to social media platforms to forcibly recruit children and adolescents into their ranks, according to a harrowing new report by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP).At least 1,494 children and adolescents have been forcibly recruited since the 2016 peace accord.

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Colombia’s AG ordered to provide information on 546 disappeared members of security forces

By Richard Emblin - March 3, 2025

Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) gave the Attorney General’s Office 45 days to provide information on 546 disappeared members of the armed forces, aiming to advance their identification and ensure victims’ rights to truth and justice.

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Human remains discovered at Medellín’s La Escombrera, believed to be Colombia’s largest mass grave

By The City Paper Staff - December 19, 2024

Colombia’s JEP and missing persons entity UBPD have uncovered human remains at La Escombrera, Medellín’s largest municipal dump, and remains linked to over 500 forced disappearances during the internal conflict.

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UN stands by claim of 20,000 dead at Bogotá Airport, cites “Credible Sources”

By Richard Emblin - December 10, 2024

The UN’s claim of 20,000 unidentified bodies at Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport has sparked controversy, with Colombian officials rejecting the assertion as unverified. Despite the criticism, the UN defends its findings, citing credible sources.

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Colombia’s JEP indicts ex-FARC commanders on War Crimes and Child Recruitment

By The City Paper Staff - November 13, 2024

Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) has indicted six former FARC commanders on war crimes charges, including child recruitment and severe abuses committed against minors during the internal conflict.

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Colombia’s JEP calls for investigation into alleged illegal surveillance of Magistrates

By The City Paper Staff - June 25, 2024

Colombia’s JEP urges Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo to probe alleged illegal surveillance of magistrates by the National Intelligence Directorate as phone-tapping scandal widens.

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Ex-AUC paramilitary Salvatore Mancuso granted freedom by Bogotá Court

By The City Paper Staff - May 9, 2024

Former paramilitary commander of the AUC, Salvatore Mancuso, has been granted freedom by Bogotá’s High Court after serving a mere two months in La Picota prison. Mancuso was appointed as a “peace envoy” for leftist President Petro.

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Ex-para Mancuso returns to Colombia as “peace envoy” for Petro

By The City Paper Staff - February 27, 2024

Former paramilitary commander Salvatore Mancuso returns to Colombia after serving 16 years in a U.S. maximum security prison. Appointed by President Petro as a peace facilitator, Mancuso’s repatriation opens a debate on justice and post-conflict reconciliation.

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Colombian General Montoya indicted by JEP for 130 “false positives”

By Richard Emblin - August 30, 2023

Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) has indicted retired General Mario Montoya Uribe and eight soldiers for War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity related to the manipulation of casualty numbers.

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Senator Rubio asks US to stop extradition of “peace manager” Mancuso

By The City Paper Staff - August 24, 2023

U.S Senator Marco Rubio has asked the Biden administration to deny Colombia’s extradition request of former AUC warlord Salvatore Mancuso after named “peace envoy” by President Petro.

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Colombia’s Petro offers ex-AUC’s Mancuso role as “peace emissary”

By The City Paper Staff - July 24, 2023

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has offered former AUC commander Salvatore Mancuso, and inmate of the US justice system, a role as “peace emissary” to help secure his “total peace” agenda.

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Colombian coronel hands over Distinguished Medal to families of “False Positives”  

By Richard Emblin - February 10, 2023

A retired army officer, Coronel Jaime Humberto Pinzón, handed over his “Medal For Distinguished Service” to the families of 53 young men who were executed as “false positives” while he commandeered the Tenth Infantry Battalion Atanasio Giradot.

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Ex-FARC face victims in historic kidnapping hearing

By Richard Emblin - June 24, 2022

During three days, the ex-FARC’s senior commanders gave their version before JEP of kidnapping practices, forced labor and sexual violence during the internal conflict.

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Former Army officers admit to “false positives” in Colombian conflict

By Richard Emblin - April 28, 2022

Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) heard testimonies on Tuesday by former military officials of their involvement in “false positives” in the Catatumbo region.

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