Latest News

From Cemetery Duty to a U.S. Indictment: Timochenko’s Name Resurfaces in Maduro Case

By Richard Emblin - October 9, 2026

The image is striking. With machete in hand, Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri, better known by his wartime alias Timochenko, is clearing vegetation and debris among the graves at the San Antonio de Padua cemetery in Pitalito, Huila. The former top commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) is there not as a guerrilla leader, […]

With FARC’s Political Party Over, Colombia’s Peace Accord Faces Deadline

By The City Paper Staff - October 8, 2026

Nine years after Colombia signed its historic peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), one of the central political promises of the Final Accord has run out of road. Comunes, the party formed by the last FARC Secretariat and guerrilla warlords, has lost its legal status after failing to secure sufficient support […]

Colombia’s Unfinished Business of Peace: De La Espriella and JEP

By Richard Emblin - September 28, 2026

Ten years after Colombia first signed its historic peace agreement with the FARC, the country’s experiment with transitional justice has reached a critical moment. The anniversary arrives not as a celebration of an uncontested peace, but amid a confrontation over the future of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, or JEP, the tribunal established to investigate […]

‘Timochenko’ Urges De la Espriella to Uphold 2016 Peace Agreement

By The City Paper Staff - July 14, 2026

Former FARC commander Rodrigo Londoño, known by his alias “Timochenko,” returned to Colombia over the weekend and appeared Tuesday before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), ending days of speculation that he might remain in Spain following threats by President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella to seek his imprisonment for life over crimes committed during Colombia’s […]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ex-paramilitary commander Salvatore Mancuso arrived back in Colombia after serving a 16-year prison sentence in the U.S. Photo: Migración Colombia.

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.

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.

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.

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.